BEACONS / Beacons

Eurozone: 20 out of 27; Schengen zone: 23 out of 27

On 1 January, Croatia, the last State to join the European Union (in July 2013), pulled off the double whammy of joining the Eurozone and the Schengen zone: incredible progress (see EUROPE B12991A1, B13080A1). This makes it the second country of the Western Balkans after Slovenia to enjoy this dual membership. This is the perfect opportunity to take stock of how both zones are looking.

The Eurozone is now made up of 20 member states of the European Union. Since the Treaty of Maastricht,...