Borders Open in Europe

By Florida News Group (Originally in English)

In October 2007, the divide between Western and Eastern Europe will finally close when eight Eastern European countries remove their respective border checkpoints. These countries have joined a community of 26 countries that have signed the Schengen treaty, which establishes free travel and trade in Europe. Even the staunchly independent people of Switzerland voted to adopt the treaty in June 2005.

Prior to the Schengen treaty, Europe was a patchwork of nations separated by troublesome border controls. For much of the 20th Century, the continent was split in two by a heavily guarded “Iron Curtain” between West and East. Now there will be nothing but welcome signs between the different nations.