The story

The nine newest members of the European Union were celebrating on Friday after border controls officially were lifted, allowing them to move freely within the EU's passport-free zone.

At midnight Thursday, the EU expanded the zone to embrace the eastern and central European countries that joined in 2004 -- Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

The nine, including three former Soviet republics, joined 15 already enjoying the benefits under the Schengen agreement. See a map of the passport-free zones Read full article »

CNN's Charles Hodson and Robin Oakley in London contributed to this report

All About European Union • Angela Merkel • Donald Tusk