Romania must become Schengen member

Romania deserves its rightful place in the European Union (EU) and must become a member of the Schengen area as soon as possible, visiting European Commission (EC) President Jean-Claude Juncker on Thursday told the joint plenary session of the Romanian Parliament.

Romania has "made important efforts" over the past 10 years in the judicial system's reform and in the fight against corruption, the criteria for accession to the Schengen area have been clear, "we must not render these criteria any harder," Juncker stressed in his speech entitled "The Future of Europe."

According to the European official, the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) is well conceived and no new criteria and exigencies have to be introduced in addition to those already in place.

The EC president stressed that the conclusion of the CVM process should not mean "the end or withdrawal of reforms," but even more cooperation, "since it is essential, as European solidarity is a bond of commitment between our states and our peoples."

"You know that you can count on the whole support of the Commission through its Structural Funds in particular. And I will militate, by the Romanian authorities, in order to guarantee the irreversible character of the progress made," said the EC president.

Romania deserves its natural place in the bosom of the European Union and in the Schengen area, Juncker stressed.

Schengen accession has been a long process for Romania, whose entry into the border-free area has been constantly delayed since 2011, despite Bucharest authorities' claims that the country had done all the needed preparations.

Juncker arrived here for a visit on Thursday for the first time since he took over as EC President in late 2014. His visit coincided with the 10th anniversary of Romania's EU accession.