Romania PM: Heads Will Roll If New Schengen Terminal Of Henri Coanda Airport Not Ready By Nov 4

Boc and Transport Minister Anca Boagiu on Friday checked the stage of works for the implementation of the Schengen standards at the Henri Coanda Otopeni airport. Boc said construction works on the new terminal are 75% finalized and stressed the project must be ready until November 4 because, he went on saying, a Schengen mission will be in Romania in the November 15-17 period to check whether Romania meets the technical requirements for accession to the Schengen Area.

Boc pointed out this is not an ordinary construction project, but an objective of national interest, considering Romania’s objective to join the Schengen Area in March 2011. He underscored that Romania must assure European Union member states of its secure borders, adding Romania is a reliable partner of the European Union able to ensure secure borders by meeting all requirements involving land, maritime or naval borders.

Airport spokesperson Valentin Iordache on Friday said the construction of the new terminal building of the Henri Coanda International Airport will be finalized in November and the terminal will be put in use in March 2011, along with Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area.

Investments in the airport’s new terminal amount to EUR60 million and construction works are executed by Italian company Astaldi.

Henri Coanda International Airport has been certified as international airport under the new legal provisions in the field, a prerequisite for Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area.