Romania should have already been part of the Schengen Area, given that economic relations between Hungary and Romania (including those in the cross-border areas), would have more to gain, the Minister of Trade and Foreign Affairs of the Hungarian Government, Szíjjártó Peter, said on Tuesday in Oradea. He has requested for Romania’s denial into Schengen to be reconsidered by the European Commission.
“I don’t think we can talk about illegal migration or the pressure of illegal migration when it comes to Romania and I don’t think this is a reason for Romania not to enter the Schengen Area. The economy of Romania, Hungary and the cross-border areas would benefit from following Romania’s entry into the Schengen Area. That is why I would like to request that the European Commission reopen Romania’s file for accession to the Schengen Area as soon as possible. We hope that the two countries that have expressed their right to veto will change their position. And we hope that we can take advantage of the bilateral relations and this cooperation as much as possible. We will support Romania with all efforts to join the Schengen Area”, Minister Szíjjártó Peter said in his speech.
According to Szijjarto, the cooperation between Romania and Hungary is strategic, the Interreg programs, implemented in seven-year cycles, have an important role in this field.
The Interereg VI A Romania – Hungary (cross-border cooperation) program for the period 2021 – 2027 is the third cooperation program after Romania’s accession to the EU and has a total budget of 176 million euros, of which 140 million euros is European funds, the rest – contributions of the two states, reports Agerpres.
Bulgaria, now playing by the rules, likely to be received into Schengen zone
