Mark Rutte: “The Netherlands is not, in principle, against Romania’s accession to Schengen”. Iohannis: “I’m optimistic”

The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Mark Rutte stated that “the Netherlands is not, in principle, against Romania’s accession to Schengen”.

He admitted that Romania has taken “a lot of steps in the right direction in recent years” regarding Schengen accession. Also, President Klaus Iohannis added that he is optimistic about this, but does not want to make “an overly optimistic statement about the duration”.

“The Netherlands is not, in principle, against it. We say that all countries that meet the conditions must join the Schengen area. Romania has taken many steps in the right direction in recent years. At the same time, we say again that accession to Schengen can be discussed when all the conditions are met. We also have a monitoring mechanism, we also have a collaboration and verification mechanism, the next steps will come. We have to see what comes next in this procedure and we will talk further, but the Netherlands is not, in principle, against Romania’s accession to Schengen”, said Mark Rutte, asked on Wednesday in a press conference at Cincu, if the opposition of the Netherlands regarding our country’s accession to Schengen is related to the corruption at the port of Constanta, problems at the borders or infrastructure.

For his part, Klaus Iohannis stated that he is optimistic about this accession of Romania.

“Today, we discussed the subject of Schengen in detail and the discussion was positive. All three of us are looking for the best way to complete Schengen accession with a positive response. None of us can imagine that we can fail in this endeavor. Those 11 years have passed since the last evaluation, and those in the EU want to receive confirmation that we have not only adhered to certain Schengen procedures, but that we have done our homework in other areas as well. The entire Schengen Area is undergoing modernization and we are part of it. But it takes a lot of work. I don’t want to make an overly optimistic statement about the duration. No, there are no special, unheard of, or unspoken requests. The requests are strictly related to Schengen matters and we will find together the best ways to resolve the issues that are not yet clear. I am optimistic”, explained the head of state.

Klaus Iohannis: We hope that the political conditions for Romania’s accession to the Schengen area will be met as soon as possible

President Iohannis stated that he discussed with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, about Romania’s accession to Schengen, expressing his hope that the political conditions for our country’s entry into the free movement area will be met in the shortest possible time.

“I discussed with Prime Minister Rutte about the legitimate expectation of Romania and our citizens to join the Schengen area. I reiterated all the arguments that support the fact that our joining as soon as possible is not only necessary, but also extremely opportune”, said Klaus Iohannis at Cincu, at the “Getica” National Combined Training Center.

He reiterated that Romania meets the technical requirements regarding its Schengen membership and already acts as a de facto member of this space for the protection of the Union and its external borders in the full spirit of European solidarity.

“We are an integral part of the reform of the Schengen area and we are actively involved in its modernization and efficiency efforts. Romania’s accession will contribute to the security and consolidation of the Schengen area, as we have proven, among other things, through the extensive effort of our country to manage to the standard Schengen of the over 2.5 million Ukrainian citizens who have already crossed our borders. We hope that the political conditions for Romania’s accession to the Schengen area will be met as soon as possible in a European context in which the consolidation of the resilience of the Union as a whole and I repeat, unity of action and solidarity are particularly important,” said the head of state.

Iohannis visits the “Getica” National Training Center together with Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte.