BRUSSELS, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- EU officials have approved a plan to expand Europe's passport-free zone by the end of next year.
The agreement would allow new member states to become part of the Schengen passport-free zone if they they "prove ready to safeguard Europe's new external frontiers," the EU Observer reported.
Czech Interior Minister Ivan Langer said the "freedom of movement" was one of the key reasons why his country joined the European Union.
The newspaper said a European Commission report circulated among ministers said some countries do not yet have safeguards in place and singled out Slovakia's problems in securing its border with Ukraine.
