Slovenia Ushered into Schengen Zone

Škofije, 22 December - EU, Portuguese, Italian and Slovenian officials hailed the historical elimination of borders at the last big celebration on Saturday of the expansion of the Schengen no-passport zone to nine countries which joined the EU in 2004.

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (left) symbolically handing over the presidency of the EU Council to Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (left) symbolically handing over the presidency of the EU Council to Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates addressing a ceremony marking the expansion of the Schengen zone. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates addressing a ceremony marking the expansion of the Schengen zone.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso addressing a ceremony marking the expansion of the Schengen zone. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso addressing a ceremony marking the expansion of the Schengen zone.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso addressing a ceremony marking the expansion of the Schengen zone. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso addressing a ceremony marking the expansion of the Schengen zone.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso addressing a ceremony marking the expansion of the Schengen zone. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso addressing a ceremony marking the expansion of the Schengen zone.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese Italian Interior Minister Giuliano Amato addressing a ceremony marking the expansion of the Schengen zone. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese
Italian Interior Minister Giuliano Amato addressing a ceremony marking the expansion of the Schengen zone.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese Italian Interior Minister Giuliano Amato addressing a ceremony marking the expansion of the Schengen zone. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese
Italian Interior Minister Giuliano Amato addressing a ceremony marking the expansion of the Schengen zone.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing Prime Minister Janez Jansa addresses ceremony marking Slovenia's entry to the Schengen no-passport zone. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing
Prime Minister Janez Jansa addresses ceremony marking Slovenia's entry to the Schengen no-passport zone.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing Prime Minister Janez Jansa addresses ceremony marking Slovenia's entry to the Schengen no-passport zone. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing
Prime Minister Janez Jansa addresses ceremony marking Slovenia's entry to the Schengen no-passport zone.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing Prime Minister Janez Jansa addresses ceremony marking Slovenia's entry to the Schengen no-passport zone. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing
Prime Minister Janez Jansa addresses ceremony marking Slovenia's entry to the Schengen no-passport zone.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing Prime Minister Janez Jansa addresses ceremony marking Slovenia's entry to the Schengen no-passport zone. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing
Prime Minister Janez Jansa addresses ceremony marking Slovenia's entry to the Schengen no-passport zone.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (left) symbolically handing over the presidency of the EU Council to Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (left) symbolically handing over the presidency of the EU Council to Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing Ceremony marking Slovenia's entry to the Schengen no-passport zone. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing
Ceremony marking Slovenia's entry to the Schengen no-passport zone.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (left) symbolically handing over the presidency of the EU Council to Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (left) symbolically handing over the presidency of the EU Council to Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (left) symbolically handing over the presidency of the EU Council to Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa. Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

Skofije/Rabuiese border crossing
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (left) symbolically handing over the presidency of the EU Council to Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa.
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA

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