Brussels, 20/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - Since Friday 21 December 2007 at 00: 01 precisely, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia will become part of the Schengen area. Commissioner Franco Frattini declared: “the extension of Schengen demonstrates the EU's commitment to facilitating legitimate travelling within and into the EU, whilst at the same time reinforcing the security of our external borders and thereby strengthening the safety of all EU citizens". The lifting of internal border controls on land and at sea between these countries and the 15 member states that are already members, makes the area of free movement available to around 400 million Europeans. The lifting of internal borders at airports will be done on 30 March 2008. Almost €1 million in EU aid will be needed, as well as intense months of preparation by the administrations and police, to expand the Schengen area, develop the common SIS data information system on criminals, set up joint patrols between neighbouring countries and make the 9,000 km of new borders secure against traffickers and illegal immigrants. EU ministers of the interior confirmed on 6 December that enlargement of the Schengen area would take place as planned on 21 December. Only Cyprus decided to stagger its accession, which could be pushed back till 2010. Switzerland could join Schengen by the end of 2008. Assessments of Bulgaria and Romania will begin in the second half of 2008 and at least two years will be required to complete the accession process. (B.C.)