Croatia’s entry into the Schengen zone and the euro zone is proof of its commitment and hard work, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday during a ceremony held at the Croatian-Slovenian border.

• Croatia joined the Schengen area and the Eurozone

Ursula von der Leyen arrived on Sunday at the Bregana border crossing together with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar and the foreign ministers of the two countries, the official Croatian news agency Hina reported, citing Agerpres.

“This is a day of celebration, a season of new beginnings. There is no such place in Europe where this is truer than here, on the Croatian-Slovenian border,” emphasized the head of the community’s executive power, who assessed that Croatia’s accession to Schengen and the Eurozone is a huge achievement for the newest member of the European Union.

“Europe will work to protect the Schengen area, which constantly faces challenges, but which should not be taken for granted. Schengen is a matter of commitment and mutual trust. In Schengen, we rely on each other. And you know that we can trust you and that we can rely on you,” stressed Ursula von der Leyen.

“Historical day for Croatia”

For his part, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković estimated that January 1, 2023 is a historic day for Croatia, which has fulfilled all proposed strategic political goals. “There is no deeper integration than this for Croatia, a country that was not recognized internationally and was temporarily occupied 31 years ago,” said the head of the Zagreb executive.

He promised that his country, which guards more than 1,350 kilometers of the EU and Schengen zone border, would not erect fences or barriers at the borders, stressing that Zagreb would not back down from this policy.

Controls between Croatia and other EU states on land and sea borders have been abolished, and from March 26 this will also happen on air borders.