EU's border-free zone expanded on nine further countries - je 21.12.2007 10

Travelers in the European Union can now enjoy greater movement within the bloc without having to show a passport. As of midnight last night, the EU's border-free zone was expanded to nine, mostly eastern European countries. +++LM+rein+++ Passport controls have been dropped at rail and road crossings with the Baltic States, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia. Airport checks will end in March. +++LMRAUS++ The move is seen by many as the FINAL lifting of the old Iron Curtain-divide between the former Soviet bloc and the West.