Croatia's entry into the passport-free Schengen Area is not only in the national interest, but also in the interest of the European Union, said the Croatian Interior Minister, Davor Bozinovic, on Wednesday.

Earlier on Wednesday, the European Commission called for the enlargement of the Schengen area to include Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania.

All three countries have met all technical criteria for membership.

“Schengen’s future must be marked by the expansion to those EU Member States that are not yet part of the Schengen area,” the EC said, presenting a strategy for making the Schengen area stronger and more resilient.

Minister Bozinovic said he was confident Croatia will be admitted to the Schengen area within a year, as it has met 281 membership requirements in eight different segments.