Merkel : Romania’s Accession To Schengen Area Depends On Border Security Conditions

Romania’s accession to the Schengen area will depend on the country's observance of technical conditions to ensure the European Union’s external border security, and not on aspects regarding the social integration of Roma ethnics, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday.

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Merkel pointed out during a meeting with Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc that in November, German authorities will asses the way Romania observed technical conditions to join the Schengen area, especially visa granting conditions, adding the assessment will be based on data offered by the European Commission.

She stressed that the country's accession to Schengen will not depend on aspects regarding the social integration of Roma ethnics, alluding to recent Roma repatriations from France, which were said to hinder the East European country's accession to Schengen.

The German Chancellor highlighted that Romanian authorities must continue the process of reforming the country's justice sector. She also said that the EC's Cooperation and Verification Mechanism helps the Romanian Government see the stage of this process.

The Romanian prime minister told Merkel Romania wants to finish the Schengen accession process in March 2011, and added that the country's accession must not be impeded by political matters.

Merkel is on her second official visit to Romania, as the two countries celebrate 130 years of diplomatic relations. The German Chancellor will also meet with President Traian Basescu and will visit the "Babes-Bolyai" University in Cluj-Napoca, where she will be awarded an honorary degree.

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