Schengen information system ready in time, say EU interior ministers

The new Schengen information system, necessary for the enlargement of the Schengen zone of unrestricted travel, will be ready in time, according to interior ministers of 14 Eu countries. At a meeting held in the Slovakian capital Bratislava on Friday, the ministers said that despite some initial problems with the implementation of the system, everything will be ready by the end of August. Earlier this month, nine of the old Schengen zone member states reported problems with the new system suggesting it could not be put to use in time. This would postpone the Schengen zone enlargement which is expected to take place on 1st January 2008.