The Head of State made this statement on the Henri Coanda airport, before leaving for the European Council meeting where topics impacting Romania directly such as space security, freedom and justice, will be addressed.
The President explained that the arguments supporting the onset of the Schengen entry process "derives precisely from the CVM report showing the proper administration of justice as a whole through the way the activity of DNA, ANI, ICCJ is appreciated". "For us, we believe that the process should start - the entry of Romania into the Schengen Area - although CVM report are enough elements that constitute critical area, but especially to the political class, the Parliament, "Basescu said.
"Sure, the last law passed in Parliament that takes the conflict of interest in local government out of ANI’s control and responsibilities is not likely to help, but anyway I am obliged to raise this issue and to support the need to start the process of joining the Schengen Area " Basescu said.
The Chamber of Deputies adopted on Tuesday a bill which provides that mayors or county council presidents should be the community’s representatives in the general meetings of the intercommunity development associations, PDL deputy Gheorghe Tinel argued that the party in power is trying to help the incompatibles avoid justice. The bill was initiated by six PSD deputies including Florin Iordache and Marian Neacşu.
However, the president also spoke about the cohesion funds, saying that we cannot access them because the Transports master Plan is not yet adopted.
Several countries, including the Netherlands, France, Finland, opposed over recent years the entry of Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen area.
Italy will hold the presidency of the European Union this year from July 1 to December 31.
Here are the main statements president Traian Băsescu made:
I will be attending the works of the European Council, today and tomorrow
The agenda comprises several topics, but one that interests us in particular is the security space, freedom and justice, where they make an assessment of the Schengen area management.
I will rise again the issue of our accession to the Schengen area, in consideration of the very good functioning of the justice system and due to the appreciation for the activity of DNA, ANI, ICCJ.
Romania’s accession process to Schengen has to start even if the CVM report does contain a series of elements that are still in the critical area, but which target the Parliament.
Another topic for talks, the economic growth and jobs – we have to have solution to reduce unemployment especially among the young, because they are the most affected by it.
The completion of the European quarter targeting the country recommendations, and Romania is faced with a problem regarding the use of the structural funds from the financial programming 2014-2020, because the accession of the cohesion funds is not possible since the Master Plan on Transports has not yet been adopted, approved by the EC.
Let’s hope that the changes in the Transports (Ministry) will make this approach more efficient.
Ukraine is another topic for discussions. An analysis on that will be made.
Energy and climate change – the European strategy for energy security and the fight against climate changes will be discusses.
Most likely a solution will be adopted in the October Council, but the talk have to start now.
Another extremely important item on the agenda for us is the signing of the free trade association agreement by the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine.
To us, the signing by the Republic of Moldova of the free trade and association agreement is an extremely important foreign policy development, Romania has been a very consistent supporter thereof.