Celebration of the access of Poland to the Schengen Area
In the night from 20th on 21st December 2007 on the border crossing Świnoujście/Ahlbeck took place celebration of the access of Poland to the Schengen Area. At 11 pm began a concert performed by the orchester of the Polish Navy and German Police. After speaches of representatives of the national authorities from the both countries and the local authorities from Świnoujście and the Municipality Heringsdorf began the last ceremonious clearances at the border crossing in Świnoujście. Polish and German border guards submitted a report that the clearances had been finished and dismantled information boards. The barrier dividing two countries was raised by the representatives of the border guards, national and local authorities. At midnight, to the accompaniment of “Ode of Joy” , a firework show took place.
On 21st December at 12 noon Polish and German students met on the beach to symbolically cut the border fence.Moreover, they prepared performances specially for this occasion.
How did the situation in Świnoujscie after the access of Poland to the Schengen Area change?
Apart from the abolition of the border controls and accessibility of the borders at any time of the day or night, there is a new possibility to cross the border by car. From 21st December the border Świnoujście/Ahlbeck can be accessed on foot, by car,by bike, by motorbike and by by public transport. The boarder Świnoujście/Garz is meant for pedestrians,bikes, motorbikes, cars and lorries up to 3,5 tonnes and coaches. New traffic regulations at these border crossings are specified on supplied signs.