France wants to delay Schengen accession for Romania

Romania and Bulgaria did not meet the necessary requirements to join the Schengen Area in March 2011, spokesperson of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bernard Valero announced.

Asked by Radio Romania about this situation, he answered that it would be ‘wise’ to wait until the European Commission presented a new report in July, the following year.

According to French Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Bernard Valero, Romania and Bulgaria have all chances of joining the Schengen Area, taking into account the fact that both countries are making considerable efforts and real progress in order to be able to fully implement the Schengen acquis.

However, he underlined that the Schengen accession depended on assuring the integrity and security of the Schengen Area, two important conditions that had not been met in order for the accession to start in March 2011.

After the evaluation process finishes, the Council will have to decide unanimously the lifting of internal border controls and the use of the Schengen Information System in optimal operating conditions.

French Secretary of State for European Affairs Pierre Lellouche stated on Wednesday that France would prevent the European decision regarding the Schengen accession for Romania and Bulgaria from being taken before the summer of 2011.

Subsequently, President Traian Băsescu stated that all the countries, including France, Netherlands and Germany had agreed within the Committee of Permanent Representatives to forward to the European Parliament the documents necessary for beginning the Schengen entry procedures for Romania at the established date.

Translated by: Raluca Mizdrea and Ruxandra Câmpeanu
MA Students, MTTLC, Bucharest University