Brussels, 19/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - Switzerland is expected to become a member of the Schengen Area as of 1 November 2008, Federal Councillor Christoph Blocher said in Brussels on Tuesday 18 September after the joint committee on Schengen. The ratification process should be completed by early next year, Blocher added. To date, three countries - Belgium, Greece and the Czech Republic - have not yet given their endorsement. The other subject discussed during the joint committee concerned the process of Liechtenstein's association to the Schengen Area. This process has been delayed because several EU member states want an agreement on combating fraud to be signed beforehand. Negotiations are currently underway and European Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini considers that an agreement could be reached by this autumn. Should Switzerland and Liechtenstein not join the area without borders at the same time, the two countries would have no choice but to restore border controls at their common border. (bc)