Schengen Accession has to be decided ‘unanimously’ by EU

Romania’s accession to the Schengen Space has to be decided unanimously by the 27 EU members, and, right now, unanimity does not exist, Cecilia Malström, European commissioner for internal affairs stated in Bucharest, at the end of her meeting with Traian Igaş, Minister of Interior.

She pointed out that our country has met all the technical demands to join the Schengen Space, but some member states believe it too early for Romanians to move freely.
‘Romania has met all the technical demands, but the European system is based on frontier trust, and, since trust does not exist, we have to address the situation accordingly’.

‘The decision has to be unanimous and unanimity does not exist for the time being. The Commission does not have a vote, but we will try to work with the member states and Romania to find a solution’, European Commissioner Cecilia Malström also mentioned.

The European commissioner also said that Romania has made tremendous progress, but the fight against corruption and the effort to ensure border security have to continue’.

Teodor Baconschi, the Head of the Romanian Diplomacy, hopes that a political decision will be taken before the end of the Hungarian presidency of the European Council in June, and that the accession of the two countries will be settled in the second half-year.

Meanwhile, Holland has joined the countries that oppose Romania’s and Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen Space.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs announced it in Paris.

He mentioned a set of criteria and a schedule to follow will be drawn for the two countries.

Translated by: Gabriela Lungu

MA Student, MTTLC, Bucharest University