Croatia adopts euro, joins EU border-free zone

ISTANBUL

Croatia adopted the euro and joined the EU's borderless zone on Sunday, saying goodbye to its national currency, the Kuna.

The country became the 20th member of the eurozone and 27th nation to join the world's largest passport-free region, known as Schengen.

"It is the season of new beginnings. And there is no place in Europe where this is more true than here in Croatia," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted from the capital Zagreb, where she went to mark the country's entry.

"Today the country joins the Schengen area and the Eurozone. Two immense achievements. I'm so glad to be here, on this day of joy and pride for Croatia," Von der Leyen added.

Croatia has implemented the Schengen rules piecemeal since 2013, when it joined the EU.

On Dec. 8, the Council of the European Union decided to lift border controls with Croatia.