BUCHAREST, Sept. 12 -- Visiting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Wednesday expressed his disapproval of Romania's accession to Schengen area, as a response to the country's request for support on the issue.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and Prime Minister Viorica Dancila pleaded for the accession of Romania to Schengen in their separated meetings with Rutte, but the latter showed his disagreement.
"I underlined Romania's support for the more efficient management of the Union's external borders. In this context, I reiterated Romania's desire to join the Schengen area as soon as possible," Iohannis told a joint press conference after meeting with Rutte.
Dancila said at another press conference with Rutte that "Given that Romania meets the technical criteria regarding the accession to the Schengen area, which was confirmed by the European Commission, I asked the Dutch prime minister to support Romania.
"I strongly believe that Romania deserves to be in the Schengen area and that we do not have to link the issue of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism to the Schengen criteria," she said.
Rutte offered a seemingly ambiguous response at the Presidential Palace, saying "I fully understand Romania's desire to join the Schengen area... we will see what the next steps will be, after the assessment to be made by The European Commission."
The Dutch prime minister was more straightforward when he spoke at the press conference with his Romanian counterpart.
"We do not agree on all points, such as Schengen, but it is true that we agree on many other issues," Rutte said, referring to the European project and bilateral relations.
The Netherlands is one of the countries that have opposed most the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area over the years.
Schengen accession has been a long process for Romania and Bulgaria, whose entry into the border-free area has been constantly delayed since 2011, despite Bucharest and Sofia authorities' claims that they had done all the needed preparations.
Currently, citizens of the two countries are allowed visa-free entry into the Schengen zone and there are eased accesses to Romania and Bulgaria for Schengen visa holders, but the two European Union member countries are not full members of the Schengen system.
The Schengen zone, which currently embraces 26 European countries, acknowledges the abolishment of their internal borders with other member nations and outside, for the free and unrestricted movement of people, goods, services and capital.
贾斯汀·比伯宣布取消其他世界巡回演唱会
国际英语资讯:Venezuelas Maduro, defying U.S. sanctions, says elections will go ahead
国际英语资讯:IMF sees small monetary policy effects from Feds balance sheet unwinding
体坛英语资讯:Villar set to be suspended as Spanish football chief following arrest
中国人眼中的西方的茶
新任白宫通讯主管对特朗普“黑转粉”,连手势都与总统同步
体坛英语资讯:Olympiacos beats Partizan 3-1 in Champions League qualifiers
国际英语资讯:Trump says transgender people should not serve in military
A sporting chance
体坛英语资讯:China enters knockout stage at Womens Basketball Asian Cup as group leader
体坛英语资讯:Chinas Sun Yang wins first World Championships 200m free title
主唱贝宁顿离世,林肯公园巡演全数取消!
Commitment, devotion and dedication 三个和“奉献”有关的单词
国际英语资讯:News Analysis: Frances participation - key to break Libyan political deadlock?
国内英语资讯:China to select third group of astronauts this year
100年前的生活妙招:如何让墨水瓶不倒?
国内英语资讯:Chinese Premier meets former Greek PM
川普宣布禁止跨性别者在军中服役
国际英语资讯:Shallow quake of 5.8 magnitude hits eastern Indonesia
老妇眼睛不适就医,竟取出27枚隐形眼镜
国内英语资讯:Premier Li urges officials to study important speech of President Xi
再也不怕手机没电:首款无电池手机诞生
体坛英语资讯:Chinas Sun, Xu shine with gold at worlds, three world records shattered
国内英语资讯:Chinese scientists make new breakthrough in quantum communication
国内英语资讯:BRICS tax authorities ink institutional document to enhance cooperation
White noise?
委内瑞拉全国罢工进入第二天
保护就业,印度拒绝引进无人驾驶汽车
国内英语资讯:China Exclusive: Fugitive Guo Wenguis lies exposed
国际英语资讯:Ukraine supports new possible U.S. sanctions against Russia: president