Juncker: Romania deserves and should become a Schengen

Juncker: Romania deserves and should become a Schengen member as soon as possible

The president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, said this Thursday that the Mechanism of Cooperation and Verification (MCV) is well put together and that no additional criteria are required, adding that Romania deserves “its natural place within EU and in Schengen space”. Junker made this statement during his speech in the Romanian Parliament.

“Regarding the Mechanism of Cooperation and Verification, I would like to add that we shouldn’t bring new criteria and requirements, from one day to another. The mechanism is well made and other criteria will not be added,” said Juncker.

According to him, Romania has made “important efforts” in the last 10 years regarding the judicial system reform and the fight against corruption, underlying that MCV won’t mean “the end or the reforms withdrawals.”

“The end of MCV means even more cooperation, as cooperation is essential, because the European solidarity is a commitment between our states and our peoples and after the end o this mechanism, the cooperation will continue. This is the main priority. You know you can count on the Commission through structural funds, especially,” said Juncker.

In the end, he said that the two essential objectives for Romania should be ensuring the independence of its judiciary and the separation of the powers.