Romanian EU Affairs Adviser Says Romania’s Schengen Entry Could Be Delayed For Years

"The process is difficult and not one hundred percent certain. So it's not one hundred percent certain Romania will join (the Schengen Area) in March 2011. It's not even certain it will join it in 2011, because French state secretary Pierre Lellouche argued for a delay until at least next summer, when the European Commission presents the report on the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism. It is true that the Commission president has said there is no formal connection between joining the Schengen Area and the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, there are member states that informally make that connection. At the end of the day, it's a political decision," Orban said, cited by RFI.

He said Romania needs intense lobbying on all levels to support its Schengen Area for March 2011.

"The Netherlands and France will have a significant parliamentary component in decision making," Orban said, adding that most EU member states support Romania's accession to Schengen.

Orban also said a delay in Romania's Schengen accession would not be a catastrophe, but it is a very important goal for the country.

Romanian President Traian Basescu said Thursday that France, the Netherlands and Germany, as well as the rest of member states, have agreed to send the European Parliament the decision regarding Romania's accession to the Schengen Area.

Also Thursday, Interior Minister Traian Igas said the ministry has fulfilled its duty regarding Romania's accession to the Schengen Area and the country must improve its lobbying efforts.

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