Dutch PM will visit Romania in November, says local Foreign Affairs Minister

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (in picture) will come to Romania in November and this should be an opportunity for Romanian state representatives to plead their cause for joining the Schengen area, according to Romania's Foreign Affairs Minister Teodor Baconschi. A compromise solution could be placing Dutch experts at Romania's borders.

The Netherlands and Finland opposed Romania's partial entry into the Schengen area at last month's Justice and Internal Affairs Council, mentioning trust issues caused by corruption suspicions. “I think the solution could be related to anticipating positive reports on justice reform in Romania and the direct bilateral dialogue, as well as the possibility to increase trust for our Dutch partners through direct cooperation at the border. We could imagine having Dutch experts, from this point of view,” said Baconschi. Asked whether it was about having Dutch experts at Romania's borders, Baconschi said this possibility was mentioned and that a compromise solution can be found during Dutch Prime Minister's visit to Romania in November. Romania blocked several trucks with flowers, bulbs and seeds from Holland at its border with Hungary in September, saying it suspected a dangerous bacteria on flowers and bulbs. Dutch members of the European Parliament have deemed the move a blackmail, as it came soon after the Netherlands has said it would block Romania’s accession to the Schengen area. editor@romania-insider.com