Schengen arrangements for Liechtenstein agreed
A Schengen expert group has approved the measures proposed by Switzerland for border controls with Liechtenstein.
The fact that the principality is not yet part of the Schengen area will cost Switzerland millions of francs. There is currently no border control on the 41 kilometres that separate the two countries.
The Swiss justice ministry announced that personnel for extra border controls would cost SFr2.5 million ($2.3 million). Infrastructure, mainly video surveillance, will cost up to SFr4.2 million.
Switzerland will finally be a working part of the Schengen zone “probably in December”. When that happens, Switzerland’s border with its tiny neighbour will become an external Schengen border.
According to the justice ministry the points of passage between the two countries will be monitored by video cameras and mobile border patrol units will make regular controls in person.
The arrangement will remain in place until Liechtenstein joins the Schengen zone.
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