Does it mean that as from next year, anyone holding a Schengen visa can use this same visa to enter Poland?I heard Poland is joining the Schengen zone in October 2007. What are the latest news?
the date is 1 Jan 2008, but the EU will make final inspections by the end of the year in order to confirm that we are ready (accordning to governmental officers we are, and the date of 01/01/2008 is almost sure)
When we're in Schengen zone there won't by any check-points at those borders, this regards both Schengen citizens and citizens of any other country. There won't by any patrols outside the usual border crossing points either, you will be allowed to cross the border in any place.
This applies also to flights - on the airports there will be separation of the passengers for the flights inside and outside of Schengen zone, so travelling for example from Warsaw to Rome means you are treated the same way as in local (national) flights, no matter where you're from, only the usual identity (for ticketing purposes) and security checks remain.
Citizens from countries outside of Schengen zone,who received a visa to one of the Schengen countries will be entitled to enter any country of the no-borders zone. This means only one visa will be required for the entire zone. For Russians and Ukraininas this visa will cost 35 euro (currently Ukrainians don't pay for a Polish visa, so it's a little drawback for them, but they gain something in return).