The Cooperation and Verification Mechanism that is monitoring Romania’s progress on justice affairs must be lifted by the time Romania takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2019, said European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Thursday in a speech delivered at the reception offered by President Klaus Iohannis in the garden of the Cotroceni Palace.
Juncker argued that a country couldn’t be at the helm of the EU Council if it’s “under the impression” that it is being controlled by the other member states. This mechanism must be ended and this will be so, said the President of the European Commission.
Jean-Claude Juncker also voiced that Romania could also join the Schengen free movement area by 2019, reiterating that our country meets the needed criteria to join this area.
Yet, the EC official made a warning hint. As this moment approaches, I would not want new criteria and new requirements to add to the already existing ones, Juncker said.
At the same time, the EC president said that a beautiful future lies ahead Romania due to the Romanians’ courage and talent and that Romanians have proved they are reliable partners, respected everywhere in Europe. I think Romanians and Europeans can do great things together, Juncker said.
The EC head added that the Romanians must be proud of their European course. We have been enriched by Romania’s presence (in the EU), which has given a new dimension to Europe. Romania is one of the largest members of the EU, but it is also a great nation. We owe Romania its many contributions within the EU, which has become stronger and more diverse after Romania’s accession, the President of the European Commission pointed out, while underlining that he will always admire our country.
In his turn, Romanian president Klaus Iohannis called Jean-Claude Juncker “an important guest” and “a good friend of Romania” and also referred to 2019, stressing that one of the most important moments that Romania has to focus on is the one of taking over the EU Council Presidency. He argued that Romania has to take this major opportunity to increase his involvement at the highest European level.
Iohannis also mentioned that joining the Eurozone and Schengen areas are two “major” and “legitimate” goals for our country. “I hope they will take shape soon,” he said in his speech during the Europe Day reception hosted at Cotroceni presidential palace.
“The beneficial effects of the EU membership are incontestable for Romania,” the Romanian head of state further said, adding that without the European family’s support, the progress in our country would have occurred much more slowly or the progress would have not existed at all.
“After a decade in the EU, we can undoubtedly say that that the balance sheet is positive, while Romania’s progress all through this decade are more than obvious. The membership had definitely had its costs, but they were outrun by the benefits,” Iohannis stated.