The Dutch Romanian network denounces negative vote on Romania's entry into the Schengen area

The Dutch Romanian Network (DRN) has put out a statement announcing its disagreement with the Dutch government’s decision to five a negative vote regarding Romania’s entry into the Schengen area.

“We want to invite the members of the involved governments to get out of this blockage and continue the negotiations. We are proposing a more pragmatic approach. In this respect we are drawing attention on the compromise made by Germany and France who have proposed a two-stage scenario,” said Ben Jager, executive president of the Dutch Romanian Network, and Honorary General Consul for Romania.

Misu Negritoiu, CEO of ING Bank Romania and member of DRN’s Supervising Council, said: “I am encouraged by the position of the Dutch companies in favor of Romania’s entry into the Schengen area, which is advantageous to both countries. I am convinced that the economic content will prevail in the final decision. It would be a great satisfaction for the business community.”

DRN is a non-profit established in 2007 by and for investors doing business in Romania. The organization is offering services to Dutch businessmen interested in investing in Romania and to Romanian businessmen interested in Holland.

Last week, the Romanian – Netherlands Chamber of Commerce also expressed its support for Romania to join the Schengen area.

“Romania’s accession in the Schengen zone will be beneficial both for the free movement of individuals, as well as for the flow of goods. It will therefore facilitate intra-community trade and could stimulate Romania’s attractiveness for foreign direct investments in sectors such as production, assembly, transport and logistics.The Netherlands is already the largest foreign investor in Romania and we believe that Romania’s entry into the Schengen area will also be in the interest of the Dutch business community, leading to the further development of trade between our two countries,” said Peter de Ruiter, president of the Netherlands-Romanian Chamber of Commerce (NRCC).

“Our organization has always pointed out to the Dutch officials, as well as to major Dutch investors, the enormous economic opportunities that Romania presents. […] We believe that it will be in the interest of everybody for the authorities in The Hague to heed our call,” said Richard Reese, Executive Director of the NRCC.

“Although we agree with the fact that the Romanian authorities are entitled to step up their activities against tax evasion and cross-border criminality, we believe that all controls made by the Romanian authorities should be non-discriminatory and should not target any specific industry or business community,” de Ruiter added.