Iohannis: Romania wishes to contribute to the reforming of the EU
Romanian and French Presidents decided to deepen the relations between their countries in the political, economic, cultural and research sectors.
Articol de Oana Bâlă, 24 August 2017, 22:42
Romania wishes to contribute to the reforming of the European Union (EU), President Klaus Iohannis said after his meeting on Thursday, 24 August, with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Cotroceni Palace.
The two Presidents decided to deepen the relations between their countries in the political, economic, cultural and research sectors, in the framework of their Strategic Partnership of almost 10 years and the future Romanian Presidency of the EU Council, scheduled for January-June 2019.
Iohannis also expressed interest in an increase of the French investments in Romania.
Romania's goal of joining the Schengen Area remains a priority - the Head of the Romanian State said, adding that Romania’s joining would send a strong signal in support of the European construction.
Klaus Iohannis: Romania is, today, 10 years after our membership to the EU, a mature Member State with a strong wish to contribute to the EU reforming. Romania will provide consistent support to the European Defense Project where we want to participate from the very beginning. I have said to the French President that Romania's objective of joining the Schengen Area remains a priority.
Reporter: President Emmanuel Macron too considers that Romania has the right to apply for accession to the Schengen Area and is he fully open to this issue, but estimates that Europe of the Schengen Area is not functioning well, reason why there is a need for reform of the common rules in this Area and for a much more efficient border control.
On the other hand, the Head of the French state referred to the close Partnership between Romania and France.
Emmanuel Macron: I am here today among you because we have a close Partnership, because your country has joined the European Union and has made considerable progress and because in the first semester of 2019 you will take over the Presidency of the EU Council and you have to prepare the timetable for which you will have imminent responsibilities.
Reporter: The French President also spoke about the revision of the Posted Workers EU Directive and noted that this revision does not mean blocking Romanian carriers to work throughout Europe.
In his view, the problem with the current directive is that its framework is too weak and therefore it needs to be improved.
Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei
