Czech Republic likely to join Schengen zone by 2008

A Finnish diplomatic source has said that the Czech Republic and other EU member states that joined in 2004, may join the Schengen zone as early as one year's time or early 2008. The Schengen zone harmonises external EU borders while dismantling internal border controls. Delays with the Schengen information system had suggested the Czechs' and others' joining of the zone could be pushed back as late as 2009.