German Chancellor Angela Merkel acknowledged Romania’s efforts and reforms in border protection and fighting corruption, but she said she expected to see these efforts reflected in the next European Commission (EC) report before making a decision on Romania’s accession to the Schengen area.

“I believe that the Schengen project is highly topical,” the German Chancellor said after a meeting with Romania’s Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos in Berlin.

“Schengen is a tool for growth and is appreciated by Europeans,” she said, adding that the freedom of move needed to be maintained within the Schengen area, and for this, the issue of illegal migration had to be resolved.

Several countries have imposed border controls as a response to the wave of refugees that tried to enter Europe. Merkel said that these restrictions were only temporary and were part of the Schengen mechanism. However, many have been skeptical about EU’s proclaimed principle of freedom of move, given the reality of border controls.

Romania’s Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos reiterated Romania’s wish to be accepted into the Schengen area.

“We want not only to get into Schengen, but we want to accede into a solid and credible Schengen, and we are ready to work towards this goal,” Ciolos said.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: gov.ro)