Brussels, 15/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - Speaking in Bratislava on 13 October, the European Commissioner for justice, freedom and security, Franco Frattini, declared that the nine EU countries that joined the EU in 2004, with the exception of Cyprus, are prepared to enter the Schengen area planned for the end of this year. Following the meeting with the Slovak prime minister, Robert Fico, and the minister for the interior, Robert Kalinak, Frattini emphasised that the level of security and personnel training measures for entering the border-free area was high. He added that according to information from Bratislava, systematic border controls for the countries involved would be abolished before Christmas. The 21 and 22 of December were cited as dates for lifting the land and maritime borders, added Mr Frattini. The lifting of controls in airports is expected in March 2008. All countries that joined the EU in May 2004 (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Malta) are expected to join the Schengen area in a few weeks with the exception of Cyprus, which requested a year's postponement. EU ministers of the interior are expected to make a definitive decision on expansion of the Schengen area on 8-9 November, after Commission experts have presented their final opinion. The Commissioner had previously carried out an inspection of the Slovak-Ukrainian border and pointed out that twelve months ago the European Commission had been concerned by the level of Slovakia's preparedness. These concerns, however, had now been definitively reduced, explained Mr Frattini. Drawing on the Commission's assessment, Mr Kalinak announced that Slovakia had satisfied all the technical criteria for joining the Schengen area. (B.C.)