Croatia is now connected to the Schengen Information System (SIS), the most widely used information sharing system for security and border management in Europe, the European Commission (EC) said in a press release on June 27.

The influx of migrants to Europe last year put Schengen at risk. EU officials have threatened the free-travel zone could end if Turkey does not take measures to reduce the number of migrants entering the EU via Greece. 

In March, European Council president Donald Tusk said during a visit to Croatia that the first priority was to rapidly stem the flows and reduce illegal migration while preserving the integrity of the Schengen area.

Last month, European Parliament president Antonio Tajani said during a visit to Zagreb that he supports Croatia's accession to the Schengen area as soon as possible due to the ongoing threats the European Union is facing.

Croatia will now be able to exchange information with other EU member states through SIS on persons wanted in relation to terrorism and other serious crimes, as well as information on missing people, stolen vehicles, firearms and identity documents. Croatia's integration into SIS will also help reduce waiting time at land borders between Croatia and Slovenia – with both member states having access to SIS, there will no longer be a need for checks against databases on both sides of the border.

The Commission had proposed on January 18 the gradual integration of Croatia into the SIS, with the European Council adopting the Commission proposal on April 25 and setting the date for entry to June 27.