Schengen for Western Balkans before EU membership legally possible, but requires reforms

SARAJEVO, September 28 (FENA) - The idea of allowing Western Balkan countries to join the Schengen Area before becoming full members of the European Union has a legal precedent and could provide citizens with one of the most tangible benefits of European integration. However, it would require far-reaching reforms in border management, police cooperation, visa policy, and the rule of law, while experts differ on how willing EU member states would currently be to support such a model.