SLOVAKIA joined the other Schengen-zone and Schengen-accession countries in to SISone4all, the interim Schengen Information System (SIS), on September 1, Interior Minister Robert Kaliňak told the TASR newswire.
The SIS is a security database system operated by members of the Schengen zone in order to safeguard its borders. Slovakia hopes to join the visa-free Schengen zone as of January 1, 2008, when the system is due to become fully operational.
SISone4all is an interim information system that was proposed by Portugal when it became clear that the introduction of the more sophisticated version of the system, known as SIS II, would be delayed. That problem could have also delayed the entry of new member states to the Schengen zone.
Compiled by Spectator staff from press reports
