Croatia, which joined the EU in 2013, changed its currency from the Kuna to the Euro with the new year and joined the Schengen Zone, which allows passport-free travel to Eurozone countries. A ceremony held at midnight at the Bregana crossing point, on the Slovenian border, the police lifted the barrier for the last time after placing a sign saying “free passage”, symbolizing the end of border controls.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar held a joint press conference. “If there are historical moments, special moments which should provide us with great honour and when we witness the achievement of strategic goals of a state, this is such a day,” Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said.
Von der Leyen stated that “Today Croatia joins the Schengen Area and the Eurozone, two immense achievements for the youngest member state of the European Union and both reached on the very same day. So indeed, this is a day for the history books.”