On September 12th, 2024, at the MIA headquarters, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs, Cătălin Predoiu, met H.E. Mrs. Willemijn van Haaften, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bucharest. The discussions focused on the state of bilateral cooperation and the measures taken regarding migration management and border security, in the context of Romania’s efforts to finalize the Schengen file.
At the beginning of the meeting, the two sides mentioned the good bilateral relations of cooperation that have experienced an important development recently, both states having common priorities in terms of security at the European level.
Next, Cătălin Predoiu highlighted that Romania is at an extremely important moment in terms of the second stage of accession to the Schengen area – the elimination of internal land border controls. Measures are successfully implemented at all Romanian borders, there is very good cooperation with all neighboring states, and the figures regarding illegal migration at the national borders are close to zero.
These measures were mainly aimed at strengthening cooperation and intensifying the exchange of information with the states in the region and with European partners. In this sense, Romania has ongoing projects with all neighboring countries (e.g. Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Ukraine) with very good results, aimed at organizing mixed patrols, exchange of experience, strengthening the exchange of information, developing risk assessments.
Romania has proved that it secures European borders at a high level, applies all Schengen rules and legislation, uses all European systems, issues Schengen visas, it has not registered any syncope since the elimination of air and sea border controls. With Romania inside the Schengen area, as a full member, the European project is much stronger and more stable. We have extraordinary expertise in home affairs and security, public order and border security, which must be used to support the strengthening of the security of the European area of freedom, security and justice.
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bucharest, Mrs. Willemijn van Haaften, conveyed her appreciation for the sustained efforts of the Romanian authorities to fulfill this important country objective and for the efforts in maintaining a climate of security for European citizens. He emphasized the importance of bilateral police cooperation between the two states, which is at a high level, and mentioned that he would convey to The Hague all the clarifications and nuances presented by the Minister of the Interior, including the willingness to continue discussions with the Dutch Government in the new formula installed after elections, as well as with the Dutch Parliament, if deemed necessary.
In conclusion, the two sides agreed to continue the dialogue on the same positive line in order to develop profile cooperation in areas of common interest.
„MIA fulfilled all the technical and diplomatic objectives up to date for the continuation of Schengen accession with the land border. Of course, the MIA will continue non-stop diplomatic efforts in this regard and all measures to keep illegal migration at the insignificant levels it was brought to by the integrated efforts of the Border Police, the Romanian Police and other agencies within and outside the MIA, as well as all measures to implement the Dublin Agreements, the New Pact on Migration and Asylum and the JHA Council Decision of December 2023 (Air Schengen).
We are aware that the decision will be political at the European level, but no European political decision can ignore the fact that Romania can consolidate the Schengen Area, the fact that we have been meeting all the technical criteria for years, our legal and moral right to part of the Schengen Area with all borders”, declared Cătălin Predoiu.
Contextul general:
The Dutch government specified its support for Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area as early as 2022 and 2023, including through the favorable vote at the Air Schengen JAI Council Decision and repeated statements by the former Dutch Prime Minister.
