site.btaEugen Tomac on RFI: Romania Has No Chance of Entering Schengen in 2023

Interviewed by Radio France Internationale, Romanian MEP Eugen Tomac said his country has no chance of entering Schengen in 2023. The government in Bucharest should consider referring the matter to the EU Court of Justice, he said.

"I am absolutely convinced that in 2023 we have no chance. I have seen the program of the Swedish presidency, there is no reference to the expansion of the Schengen Area, the only aspect that is mentioned during the Swedish presidency is related to the consolidation of the Schengen Area." Regarding the second part of 2023, when Spain takes over the EU presidency, Tomac said: "Spain, however, will have elections in December. I don't see how a government entering the electoral campaign will have the expansion of the Schengen Area as a priority on its agenda, given that we know that both Spain and Italy are strongly criticized for the way they manage the EU's southern border".

"2024 is a year with European parliamentary elections. Again, this topic will not be on the agenda of the Member States, because no one in an electoral campaign will say that they are expanding the Schengen Area, as the populists will automatically say that more migrants will come again. Precisely for that reason, I think that the most realistic term is at least two years," the Romanian MEP said.

Tomac said it is "the European Commission that determines if a Member State meets the criteria, if it complies with the Schengen legislation and must join, not the Council of the European Union".

The Romanian MEP said he had serious reservations about the fairness of Vienna's assessment of his country, "which is why we must use all the tools the EU gives us to fight for justice".