site.btaRomanian Deputy PM Does Not Support Separation of Romania, Bulgaria for Schengen Entry

Romanian Deputy Prime Minister and president of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (DAHR) Kelemen Hunor said on Tuesday evening that he does not support Romania's separation from Bulgaria in the process of joining the Schengen area, Agerpres reported.

Kelemen Hunor told Prima News that he does not support Romania’s separation from Bulgaria on the road to Schengen, as it would send a bad signal, undermine mutual trust, and entail a delay caused by moving the Schengen border to the Danube.

He added that he hopes Romania will enter the Schengen area this year, but that it is difficult to set a deadline. According to the Romanian deputy PM, if the country does not enter Schengen in 2023, it should not commit itself to this topic until 2025, as there are European Parliament elections next year and there will be changes.

“By the time things get back on track, 2024 will pass. I would like to think that if we cannot conclude this issue during the Swedish Presidency of the EU, we can conclude it during the Spanish Presidency,” Kelemen Hunor said.

In December, Austria opposed the Schengen accession of Romania and Bulgaria, which did not receive support from the Netherlands either, because of concerns related to organised crime, illegal migration and security.