PM Pellegrini: Slovakia supports Romania's integration in Schengen Space

Slovakia supports Romania's integration in the Schengen Area, an enlargement of this space being necessary for a better protection of the European Union, declared on Tuesday, Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini. 

"It is very important that the frontiers of the Schengen Area advance toward the south, and Slovakia's opinion is that should someone meet the Schengen conditions and prove they are technically ready, they should be introduced in the Schengen Area. It is unacceptable to condition the acceptance or refusal of entry in Schengen on political matters, because this is not beneficial for the European policy. I assured madam Prime Minister that Slovakia supports Romania's integration in the Schengen Space," Peter Pellegrini told a joint press conference, held at Victoria Palace, alongside Prime Minister Viorica Dancila. 

He highlighted that the two countries have common points concerning the energy policy, "we support the East Stream and BRUA projects and we refuses to accept the North Stream 2 project. In 2019, Slovakia will hold the presidency of the OECD (the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development ed. n) and Slovakia takes into account Romania's efforts of becoming a member of this club. I wish to confirm that Slovakia will support Romania in becoming a member of this club," Pellegrini said. 

The Slovak Prime Minister underlined that his country also stands by Romania from the perspective of taking over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. 

"We are certain that Romania will be successful in this role, even if Romania's position will be a very difficult one, because it will have to deal with Brexit and the parliamentary elections. Slovakia offers its services in helping Romania, considering that it has already held the presidency of the European Union. We wish to accomplish this also from the position of the V4 format chairman, in Visegrad, because I consider that this collaboration between the two presidencies, of the European Union and of the V4 format will contribute to our societies' prosperity and a democracy," Pellegrini declared. 

"I especially appreciate the fact that Romania was the first country that recognized Slovakia as a state in 1992. I also appreciate Romania's position of the past. The Romanian army fought in the Second World War in Slovakia and liberated nearly a third of our country's territory. Furthermore, our nation and Slovakia appreciate Romania's position of not intervening in our country's invasion of 1968," Pellegrini said. 

He also pointed out that Romania represents an especially important commercial partner for Slovakia, being on the 11th position of our exports, he said. 

"Mutual commercial trade between Romania and Slovakia reached 2.7 billion Euro last year". 

Last but not least, the Slovak Prime Minister highlighted the care the Slovak minority enjoys in our country. 

"Slovaks have a good life in Romania. (...) Slovakia is making all efforts to ensure good conditions to Romanians who came to this country," Pellegrini showed.