Greece A Full Member Of Schengen Treaty

Greece recently has carried out all the prerequisites needed for acceptance into the Schengen Treaty and as of January 31 became a full member. The decision was taken by the Joint Schengen Committee at ministerial level, with the participation of Iceland and Ireland, in the framework of the European Union’s Council of Justice and Interior Affairs Ministers.

As a result of the decision, controls on Greece’s internal borders with the other Schengen member-states have been lifted. Greece was represented by Foreign Ministry Secretary General  Perrakis and Public Order Ministry Secretary General Efstathiadis.

Mr. Perrakis termed the decision “historic”. He said it was the end of a great effort to incorporate Greece in Schengen which anticipates the free movement of persons within the European union.