Hungary will support Romania in joining the Schengen area, says Hungarian President

Newsroom 19/10/2010 | 16:44

During an official visit to Bucharest which ends today, Hungarian President Pal Schmitt said Romania has met the necessary technical conditions for the protection of EU’s external borders. Staring next year, when it will hold EU’s presidency, Hungary will support Romania in joining the Schengen area in March, said Schmitt.

Discussions with President Traian Basescu also included issues related to the Hungarian community in Romania. During a joint press conference Basescu said that Romania does not target “a regional autonomy, but the autonomy of local communities in relation with the Romanian Government”. He stressed that all Romanian citizens irrespective of their ethnicity, equally need autonomy.

Basescu added that ethnic minorities in Romania enjoy local autonomy and that it would be very good if Romanian minorities in neighboring countries could enjoy the same level of autonomy.