The European Commission considers that both Romania and Bulgaria fully meet the criteria for becoming members of the Schengen area, said Natasha Bertaud, EC spokeswoman during a press conference on September 10.

However, the decision doesn’t belong to the European Commission anymore, but to the European Council, she added, reports local Agerpres.

Prime Minister Victor Ponta said this week that Romania could take in 1,500 refugees and that this should be another argument for Romania’s accession to the Schengen area.

“Now we can see the injustice done to Romania with the Schengen accession, as the very same countries that now ask us to help with the refugee problem are the countries that have postponed our Schengen accession,” Ponta added.

An analysis by Austrian group Erste published this week showed, however, that Romania’s accession to the Schengen area would be a political success, but not an immediate economic success. The country’s weak road infrastructure would remain a problem, and removing the border controls would not change the overall image.

editor@romania-insider.com