In the context of Romania’s efforts to finalize the Schengen file, on September 16th, 2024, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Cătălin Predoiu, had a working meeting via videoconference with the Hungarian Minister of the Interior, Sándor Pintér.
The discussions were part of this year’s series of meetings between the two dignitaries, focused on topics of common interest regarding migration management and border security.
Minister Predoiu thanked for the constant position and consistency of the Hungarian side regarding the subject of Romania’s accession to the Schengen area. He highlighted that the elimination of controls at internal land borders is an extremely important moment in terms of the second stage of accession to the Schengen area.
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 and has not registered any syncope since the elimination of air and sea border controls on March 31st, 2024.
It was also highlighted the particularly advanced level of Romania’s preparation for the operationalization of the future European information system, the Entry/Exit System, and the fact that Romania represents a „top standard in the application of Schengen provisions”.
Minister Pintér reaffirmed Hungary’s support, including from the perspective of its current presidency of the Council, for the completion of Romania’s accession process this year, by facilitating discussions within the Justice and Internal Affairs Council.
It was agreed to maintain close cooperation on this subject and continue discussions to achieve the goal as soon as possible.
