Brussels, 28/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 28 January, the EU cleared ratification of the bilateral agreements with Switzerland in view of its participation in the Schengen zone, as well as provisions in the Dublin II agreement on asylum. Greece, the Czech Republic and Belgium recently lifted their last remaining reservations on this ratification. Agreements can therefore enter into force at the end of February. Switzerland ratified the agreements in Spring 2006 and is now hoping to enter Schengen on 1 November this year. In the meantime, Switzerland will still have to hook up to the SISone4 All police data base (current Schengen Information System) but also to submit to EU assessments and its final verdict. The spokesperson for the European Commissioner for home affairs, Friso Roscam Abbing, said that Switzerland was a serious partner, “We are convinced that everything will be done to respect all Schengen acquis, which is not just the lifting of border controls”. During the assessment missions, Switzerland will have to prove that it has taken all adequate security measures that compensate for getting rid of the borders. Euro 2008, the football championship, jointly organised by Switzerland and Austria in June could delay accession a little because no assessment can be carried out during this period. Even if this was the case, Switzerland should become the 25th Schengen member. (B.C.)