site.btaForeign Ministers of Romania, Croatia Discuss Schengen Accession in Bucharest

Romania and Croatia are ready to join the Schengen area and are part of the solution the EU needs in relation to the management of migration flows, Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu said on Monday following a meeting here with his Croatian counterpart Gordan Grlic Radman, Agerpres said.

Aurescu stressed that the Schengen accession is a priority for both countries. "We share the common view that the enlargement of this area will help strengthen the external borders of the EU, create a stronger and more sustainable Schengen area in the context of the Union's internal security challenges. Romania and Croatia are ready for accession and are part of the solution that the EU needs now in relation to the management of migration flows. It is also clear that it is in the interest of the EU for the Schengen area to be strengthened through the accession of the two countries," Aurescu said.

Radman said that Croatia expects the European Council to make a positive decision on his country’s Schengen accession and that he expects the same for Romania and Bulgaria, as well. He welcomed the European Commission's report proposing to complete the cooperation and verification mechanism for Romania.

Radman is on a visit to Romania to take part in the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs on 29 and 30 November.