Viviane Reding, the Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Justice has cast doubt on Schengen area accession for Romania and commented on the recent political turmoil in the country in an interview with French newspaper Le Monde. When asked by Le Monde about Romania joining the Schengen area, Reding (in picture) said that it was up to member states to decide.

However, she added that to join, the rest of the Union must have confidence in the rule of law in Romania and that in her opinion she would “not be surprised if the states decided not to immediately integrate Romania.”

Speaking on the political crisis in Romania, Commissioner Reding said the worst excesses had been contained and that she hoped the country's politicians can overcome their divisions.  She added that young democracies, such as Romania's, must achieve in a short period of time what has taken decades in Western Europe.

Romania and Bulgaria were originally to be included in the Schengen area in 2011, but opposition from several EU states held up the process. Although the rest of the EU has since approved Romania and Bulgaria’s application, The Netherlands has maintained resistance to the proposal.

Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com

photo source: ec.europa.eu