BEIJING, June 6 -- The European Union has hailed Switzerland's joining of the passport free Schengen zone.

    Switzerland has become the third non-EU member to participate in the Schengen Accords joining 13 other EU states and 2 other non- EU members. EU members expect Britain and Ireland to join later this year.

    A declaration issued Sunday by the EU commissioners said the Switzerland's participation will strengthen the European space of free movement without controls at internal borders.

    France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg have also signed an agreement that would allow member states to travel freely without a passport or a visa.

    Schengen is a town on the Luxembourg-French-German border.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)