site.btaRomanian PM on Schengen: Romania's Next Move Depends on Netherlands' Decision on Bulgaria

Romania is waiting to find out whether the Netherlands will support Bulgaria's accession to the European Schengen area in order to make a decision on the Schengen file, stated Romanian Prime Minister Ion-Marcel Ciolacu, quoted by Agerpress and Digi24.

He recalled that elections were held in the Netherlands on November 22, and because of that there was no time to start a voting procedure in Parliament.

Ciolacu noted that it is more than certain that Schengen would not be discussed at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on December 4 and 5, but it remained on the agenda to propose an extraordinary meeting of the Council in December. “First, we are waiting for the Netherlands' decision on Bulgaria and we will see how Romania will act," said the Prime Minister.

Regarding the dialogue with Austria, Ciolacu stated that he did not have a direct conversation with Chancellor Karl Nehammer, but noted that there will certainly be one after he returns to Romania.

There have been discussions at the level of ambassadors and the Minister of the Interior had other contacts as well, specified Chancellor Karl Nehammer., who is on a working visit to the USA until December 6.