Barroso: Romania should rush judicial reforms

Newsroom 09/11/2010 | 13:12

Jose Manuel Barroso, the European Commission (EC) president, recently advised Romania to speed up efforts to reform the judiciary system and combat corruption, if plans to join the EU’s border-free Schengen area, announces EurActiv.

On 13 September EU countries decided to extend monitoring of Romania and Bulgaria on this areas for another year.

Recently, Barroso said there was no legal link between Romania’s EU monitoring in judiciary matters and the country’s Schengen accession. However, Barroso recognized that “some countries” thought that there was “a certain link” between reforms in the judicial field and achieving Schengen membership.

“The Schengen area means trust. Romania needs to convince member states that it deserves to be there,” said Barroso.

Barroso said commission experts would be in Romania soon to assess the country’s progress.

Romanian president Traian Basescu stated recently that he is aware that the EU’s decision to allow Romania into the Schengen area must be taken by unanimity, countries being able to have veto powers. Romania’s has plans to join Schengen area in March 2011.