GENEVA, November 1 (RIA Novosti) - Switzerland could join the passport-free Schengen zone on December 12, the Swissinfo news portal said on Saturday citing the country's justice office.

The date was agreed at a meeting with European Union officials in Brussels on Friday. A final decision will be taken at a session of the EU council of ministers to be held on November 27-28.

"Technically we're ready, and there is no reason to believe there will be any political obstacles," said Luzius Mader, deputy director of the Swiss Federal Justice Office.

While land border checkpoints are to be scrapped, people entering Switzerland by air from Schengen countries will still have their passports checked until March 29, 2009.