Former European Commission President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso says that Romania is ready to join the Schengen Area and that he wants this to happen as soon as possible, even if the EU now "is prudent or has suspicions."
Barroso said Friday in a press conference in Timisoara, that although no longer in an official capacity, he believes that Romania is ready to become a member country of the Schengen area, something he supported all the while he was European Commission President, Mediafax reports.
"There were doubts at that moment and I said then that Romania was better equipped than other existing members. I see no reason for the situation to have changed since then, it seems to me that Romania should be a country member of Schengen. I believe security in Europe will be increased. I understand that there are challenges with refugees and therefore the European Union is more cautious or has got suspicions, but honestly I cannot tell you clearly (if Romania can become a member of Schengen -). I wish, however, for it to happen quickly, " Barroso said.
Referring to the refugee crisis, Barroso said that this is "a major challenge" for Europe..
"It is also an economic crisis. What is at stake is not just an economic issue. It all happened suddenly with this flow of migrants. Thus issues raised by xenophobia appeared. We must have the courage to explain what is happening. Most of the refugees come here because they are in desperate situations. We must show that we are human, because there is a war in their country and we must receive them. If I were a male Syrian, I would make every effort to live in peace. I ask Europeans make this moral exercise. This is a first point, a humanitarian effort, "said Barroso.
He believes that the real problem is the different groups of people brought in by illegal organization against which Europe must fight because it has the responsibility to defend its borders.
Barroso said that there is " trafficking for prostitution, of children or terrorism" and even if people must be united towards refugees, for those whose safety they put at risk it must be tough.
"There are some who believe that this issue makes security of the Schengen area difficult. It's false. Schengen is trying to solve this problem. What we must do now is to work with the intelligence services. If anyone thinks that we should put fences between countries I wonder what's the advantage? what you need to do is to increase cooperation between secret services to protect the borders.
I think we will be able to solve this problem, but I have my ideas. We need to adapt constantly. I think we will find a solution, but I do not think the solution is to raise fences between countries. I'm realistic, I do not think we have a shared secret service, but there must be a closer cooperation, "said Barroso.
Jose Manuel Durao Barroso was Friday in Timisoara, where he received from the University of the West the title of Doctor Honoris Causa.