President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso (in picture) is on an official visit to Romania on Friday (June 1 ), when he will meet the Romanian president Traian Basescu and the Prime Minister Victor Ponta.

Barroso will hold a speech for the opening of the conference 'Challenges and opportunities for the future European Union budget', which will be attended by Prime Ministers of EU member states of the 'Cohesion' friends group.

Earlier this year, Barroso said Romania can count on the European Commission for a final decision on the country’s accession to Schengen to be made in September this year. “It is fair to give Romania Schengen area status,” said Barosso. This came after a decision had been delayed, mainly because of opposition from certain EU member states, among which the Netherlands.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: EC)