Romanian Foreign Affairs Minister Titus Corlatean will meet his Dutch counterpart Frans Timmermans (both in picture) in The Hague in February. The meeting was confirmed during the recent EU - Community of Latin American and Caribbean States summit, where Corlatean also met Timmermans. The Romanian used the opportunity to remind of Romania's Schengen admission and of the fact that Romania implemented the measures imposed by the European Council in March 2012. The opposition from The Netherlands and Germany is the main reason for Romania failing to join the Schengen area, which needs to have the green light from all members.

The two ministers also recently met at the EU Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting to discuss the situation in Mali .

The Netherlands and Germany are currently awaiting the results of the next Cooperation and Verification Mechanism report from the European Commission, which should be presented at the end of January.

Romania's Internal Affairs Minister Radu Stroe also recently met his German and Dutch counterparts in Dublin. The German and Dutch ministers said their countries will start internal discussions on Romania's Schengen accession after the new Commission report. The Finnish Internal Affairs Minister also said this is a political decision, pending the January report.

Romania expects a decision on the Schengen issue on March 7, at the next Justice and Internal Affairs meeting.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: MInistry  of Foreign Affairs; in picture: Titus Corlatean - left, Frans Timmermans - right)