Expansion of EU border-free zone faces delays

Brussels has hinted new EU member states could see a delay of at least six months in joining the Schengen bordeless zone due to technical difficulties, but the newcomers are insisting the original date of October 2007 should be preserved.

The enlargement of the so far 15-member Schengen area will enable citizens from eight countries in central and eastern Europe plus Cyprus and Malta to travel to western Europe without any border controls.

While the European Commission is still du...