Member of the European Parliament from REPER Alin Mituta believes that “Romania enters Schengen in the same way as it entered the EU – half and with additional conditions”, and presents, “in the absence of clarifications from the Prime Minister”, the conditions contained in the decision and annexes on joining Air Schengen. , writes Agerpres

“After a lot of dilettantism and stammering of the Romanian government, the decision was voted last night: we are (partially) in Schengen!” says Alin Mitutsa. MEP REPER shows in a Facebook post containing the Schengen Accession Decision and Annexes.

“Starting with air and sea borders, and with respect to land borders, there are only obligations to be discussed in 2024. It’s not enough, but it’s better than nothing. We can find details in the solution.

1. The cancellation of control at airports and ports will take place on March 31, 2024.

2. Austria, Romania and Bulgaria signed a declaration with 5 commitments:

I. Strengthening of border controls with Turkey and Serbia. There is no problem here;

II. Multi-filter control at the land borders between Romania and Hungary and Bulgaria and Romania. This is not a good thing at all, because instead of removing the controls for cargo snapshots, we are strengthening them;

III. Fast reception of asylum seekers entering through Romania or Bulgaria. This is not a problem as we already have this obligation through the Dublin Regulation;

IV. Austrian and European airport controllers, as well as unannounced inspections at Austrian airports. In principle, there is nothing to worry about, sudden checks are already possible; it is important not to abuse and let the unexpected become the norm;

V. Commitment to discuss the functioning of Schengen in 2024. It was already on the agenda;

3. Important: a commitment to negotiate an accession date with land borders in 2024, subject to progress on the 5 elements.”

Alin Mituca emphasizes that “it is too little” and that “Romania could get a more precise calendar for the abolition of land borders in 2024”.

“In general, it is good news that we are taking this first concrete step towards Schengen, but the problem of land borders, the most important, remains unresolved,” the MEP also said.