Romanian President: Romania and Bulgaria Accession to Schengen Would Strengthen Resilience of EU
The President’s comments came during talks with the Bulgarian counterpart, Rumen Radev, AtoZSerwisPlus.Ro reports.
“We have also approached the objective of our countries with regard to advancing the accession to the Schengen Area,” Iohannis has stressed.
Romania’s President added that the accession of both countries to the borderless area of Schengen would also increase the resilience of the Union in its entirety, which at present is very necessary, marked by multiple crises.
“The measures adopted by the Romanian authorities in managing the border in the current context of the refugee flow from Ukraine have proven, once more, that Romania is efficiently applying the common standards that regard the Schengen acquis,” the President pointed out in this regard.
Iohannis emphasized that he agreed with President Radev to maintain close coordination regarding the issue in the coming period.
Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007; however, amid raised concerns over the rules of law, both countries have still not managed to become part of the Schengen Zone.
The European Parliament gave the green light for Romania and Bulgaria to become part of the Schengen Zone in 2011 and has reiterated its position many times; however, in order for both territories to become full members of Schengen, the European Ministers must unanimously vote the accession of both countries in the borderless area of Schengen, in the European Council.
Regarding Romania’s accession to the Schengen Zone, last month, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said that the Balkan country is ready to become a full member of this zone.
“As you know, in the last ten years, the Commission has assessed that Romania is ready for Schengen. […] We are trying to persuade the Council to move forward because it is time for Romania to be a full member of Schengen,” Johansson pointed out.
Johansson’s comments came during her visit to the humanitarian aid camp in the Siret Border Crossing Point with Ukraine.
