Romania is ready to join the Schengen area, says Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, the former president of the European Commission (EC).

Barroso said that he still believed that Romania was ready to become a member of the Schengen area and he would like to see this happening as soon as possible, although he doesn’t have an official position anymore.

“I think it will increase Europe’s safety. I understand that there are challenges with the refugees, and this makes the European Union to be more cautious or suspicious, so I can’t be sure about it (Romania's Schengen entry - e.n.). I hope, however, that it will happen soon,” Barroso explained in a press conference in Timisoara, according to local Mediafax.

Jose Manuel Barroso was in Timisoara, where he received the Doctor Honoris Causa title from the West University, on Friday, January 29. Romania’s Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos also attended the event.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Universitatea de Vest din Timisoara on Facebook)