Between 30.09-04.10.2024, Cătălin Predoiu, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Internal Affairs had a series of meetings on the Schengen issue, which were part of the MIA’s wider effort for a direct dialogue with EU partners on the subject Romania’s full accession to the Schengen area, during this year.
In Vienna, in the Republic of Austria, Minister Predoiu held an exchange of views with his Austrian counterpart, Gerhard Karner, regarding the new elements regarding the measures taken by the Romanian authorities to complete the second stage of accession to the space Schengen. In this context, the progress made by the two parties in order to achieve the goal of accession to the Schengen area was reviewed.
It was emphasized that the elimination of air and sea border controls did not result in problematic aspects, the borders are secured in an impeccable manner, bilateral cooperation with all neighbors, but also with Austria, is going very well, the figures regarding illegal migration at Romania’s borders have decreased to a level close to zero, all pending projects with the Member States, the European Commission and the European Agencies are implemented without problems.
Also in Vienna, the Romanian dignitary had a first exchange of views with Mr. Magnus Brunner, current Minister of Finance from the Republic of Austria, nominated for the position of European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration. During the discussion, Mr. Brunner appreciated Romania’s efforts to secure the external borders and expressed the hope that the goal of joining the Schengen area will be achieved as soon as possible.
Next, on October 3rd, 2024, in Prague, the meeting took place with Mr. Vít Rakušan, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of the Czech Republic, at his invitation. The discussions focused on the state of bilateral cooperation in the current security context at the European level and the measures taken by Romania regarding migration management and border security, in order to finalize the Schengen file.
At the beginning of the meeting, Minister Predoiu expressed his appreciation for the constant and vocal support offered by the Czech Republic, both during the country’s holding of the Presidency of the EU Council and afterwards, regarding the accession to the Schengen area. He pointed out that Romania is at an extremely important moment in terms of the second stage of accession to the Schengen area – the elimination of controls at the internal land borders.
Romania has successfully implemented measures at all national borders, there is very good cooperation with all neighboring states, and the figures on illegal migration at national borders are close to zero. The set of measures implemented by the Romanian authorities 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 demonstrated 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.
The Czech dignitary thanked the dialogue partner for the assessments conveyed, the position of the Czech Republic being unchanged: Romania’s place is in the Schengen area and this must happen as soon as possible. The arguments offered by Romania are sufficiently solid to close the file. He added that he hopes that the technical and political arguments related to the proper functioning of the EU will generate the necessary political will and Romania will be recognized with this right in 2024.
With regard to bilateral cooperation in the field of internal affairs, the interlocutors agreed to its intensification, considering the common priorities of the two states in terms of security at the regional and European level, as well as the new threats that require a firm and coordinated response by security agencies law enforcement. In addition, the field of emergency situations occupies an important place in the overall cooperation between the two relevant ministries, especially in the context in which both states have recently faced massive floods.
On Thursday, October 4th, 2024, Minister Predoiu had a meeting with the Minister of the Interior, for Sports and Integration of the Land of Bavaria, Federal Republic of Germany, Joachim Herrmann. The agenda of the discussions focused mainly on the perspectives of finalizing the Schengen file, as well as strengthening the dialogue in the context of the latest political developments at the European level.
The Romanian official presented the operational results recorded after the lifting of controls at the sea and land borders, emphasizing the fact that illegal migration at the RO borders is practically reduced to zero. Romania is prepared, from all points of view, to be a full member of the Schengen area, with our country inside, the European project being much stronger and more stable.
The two dignitaries had an important exchange of views on security and migration issues, which must be addressed in a comprehensive manner and through consolidated European and international cooperation. The scope of bilateral cooperation was reviewed, with significant potential to be further developed, the two interior ministries also setting similar priorities such as combating cross-border organized crime, migrant trafficking and the protection of external borders.
Minister Predoiu agreed with Minister Herrmann to continue the dialogue to identify mutually beneficial solutions.
Therefore, on the occasion of the visit that the counterpart from the state of Bavaria will make to Bucharest, in November 2024, the two ministers will sign a new cooperation document in the field of police cooperation. It will update the existing legal framework by including new areas of cooperation that reflect the challenges that law enforcement authorities have to face, such as preventing and combating the smuggling of migrants or the illegal trafficking of hazardous substances and waste.
