Romanian Self-Assessment Committee To Submit Revised Schengen Accession Plan To Govt

The committee assembled at the Interior Ministry, and talks were chaired by minister Vasile Blaga. The participants adopted a memorandum on Romania’s revised Schengen action plan, which will be submitted for Government approval.

The action plan contains specific measures and deadlines, which Romania pledges to meet by the end of December, in order to join the Schengen Area in March 2011. Blaga urged all the institutions and authorities involved to act promptly toward meeting the objectives and deadlines.

The participants also discussed the conclusions and recommendations issued after the Schengen evaluation visit, which took place between March 26 and April 1. Other topics included the status of infrastructure works at the Timisoara and Otopeni airports, the situation of Schengen Facility funds and the implementation of Schengen contracts.

Attendants included representatives of Romania’s Foreign Ministry, Transport Ministry, Justice Ministry, Communications Ministry, customs authority, communications authority, European Affairs Bureau and Foreign Intelligence Service.

On May 6, Blaga said Romania has managed to absorb over 80% of the European Union funds earmarked for accession to the Schengen Area and has received positive reports on maritime, air and ground borders, during various assessment missions.

In early May, Blaga vowed that Romania will join the Schengen Area on March 27, 2011, and that Romanian authorities will use a plan of priority measures to meet all requirements for accession to the Schengen Area until December 2010.