The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, was one of the „strong voices” who constantly supported Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area, said, on Monday, the interim president of the Senate, Alina Gorghiu, in the context of the meeting she will have at the Senate with the high-ranked European official, according to Agerpres.

„She is present here today [in Romania – editor’s note] and you know that she was one of those voices that constantly supported Romania’s national project of accession to the Schengen Area, every time when there was an opportunity. Obviously, we are going to discuss topics related to the European agenda, topics related to Romania and the objectives that Romania has. We will certainly also touch on the issue of Schengen today and what we have to do in the future to get the support that we need to bring the topic back on the agenda of the European decision-makers. We will have many topics for discussion and I hope that the joint plenum will show the European Parliament, represented by Roberta Metsola today, something that you know very well, Romanians and Romania are among the most pro-European states, and Romanian citizens are among the most pro-European citizens, as it is natural for us to be. But we deserve the respect of Europe and this I will tell Mrs. Metsola today, both at the bilateral meeting and at the joint plenary session of the two Chambers,” said Gorghiu, when asked about this issue.

Gorghiu added that he wants 2023 to be a year in which Austria overcomes internal political problems and has a constructive approach regarding Romania’s accession to Schengen, in the context in which Romania’s access to Schengen also depends on this country’s vote.

„We all want 2023 to be a year in which Austria overcomes its internal political problems and obviously we expect a constructive approach, we also depend on their vote, as we depend on the vote of every state that is part of this Europe that will decide Romania’s access to the Schengen Area. All diplomatic efforts made at absolutely any level must be resumed at maximum capacity in 2023, so that this topic becomes a reality,” concluded Gorghiu.

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, is paying an working visit to Romania on Monday and Tuesday.

Agerpres