Romania's and Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area would be a real win, President Klaus Iohannis said at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace on Wednesday, during a joint press conference with his Bulgarian counterpart Rumen Radev.
Asked about the discussions he had with France's President Emanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel, referring to Romania's accession to the Schengen area, Iohannis underscored that Romania, as well as its neighbour country, Bulgaria, have been prepared to join Schengen for six years.
"We approached the Schengen matter and we are exactly on the same vibe. Both Bulgaria and Romania have been prepared ever since 2011 from a technical stand, a fact certified by the European institutions, to access the Schengen area. It didn't happen because the Schengen area isn't coordinated by the European institutions, but the approval of the member states is required, and here, there have been diverging opinions," the Romanian head of state said.
He spoke of the efforts of both countries to ensure security at the EU borders.
"Neither Romania nor Bulgaria stopped in 2011. We further developed the capacities and the fact that both states have dealt with the migration wave very well - where we must admit, Bulgaria had a little less harsh and less complicated position - shows that we aren't only theoretically prepared to defend the Union's external borders," Iohannis said.
The head of state said that the Schengen area would benefit from the expertise of the two countries.
"Romania's and Bulgaria's accession would be a real win for the Schengen area. From this point to the actual accession, of course, a European political path is needed. We are both interested. We have discussed these matters and I always discuss them," the President said.
In respect to the talks with Merkel and Macron, Iohannis said that "they both showed openness."
"In this respect, we continue to be optimistic that we'll be able to move further with the problem solved, in a reasonable amount of time," Iohannis said.
In his turn, the Bulgarian President underscored the need for Romania and his country to join Schengen.
"Both Bulgaria and Romania will continue to persuade the European institutions and each state that the only manner for the European citizens to feel safe is for Romania and Bulgaria to be part of the Schengen area. We cannot ensure this security level in respect to defending the external borders unless we benefit from the common Schengen information system and the Schengen procedures," Bulgaria's President highlighted.
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