IntMin Predoiu: Salzburg Forum, a step forward to supporting Romania’s full accession to Schengen
Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu, on Wednesday and Thursday, at the ministerial meeting of the Salzburg Forum,
promoted Romania’s objective to fully enter the Schengen area, with land
borders included, this year, having obtained “a positive response” and
“support” both in the informal discussions at the event and in the
plenary session, according to the Interior Ministry.
borders included, this year, having obtained “a positive response” and
“support” both in the informal discussions at the event and in the
plenary session, according to the Interior Ministry.
“The Salzburg Forum is an important format of work and cooperation in
Central and Eastern Europe for securing borders, combating smuggling of
migrants, drugs and organised crime. We presented Romania’s results and
discussed increasing cooperation between national police forces. We had
several bilateral discussions with the member states present. We took the
opportunity to continue promoting Romania’s objective to fully join
Schengen, with land borders included, in 2024. We got a positive response
and support both in the informal discussions in the Forum and in the
plenary session. Things are going well, but we remain focused both on the
work on the ground to protect borders and on the area of multilateral,
bilateral, formal and informal diplomatic action,” Predoiu said,
according to an Interior Ministry (MAI) press release sent to AGERPRES on
Friday.
Central and Eastern Europe for securing borders, combating smuggling of
migrants, drugs and organised crime. We presented Romania’s results and
discussed increasing cooperation between national police forces. We had
several bilateral discussions with the member states present. We took the
opportunity to continue promoting Romania’s objective to fully join
Schengen, with land borders included, in 2024. We got a positive response
and support both in the informal discussions in the Forum and in the
plenary session. Things are going well, but we remain focused both on the
work on the ground to protect borders and on the area of multilateral,
bilateral, formal and informal diplomatic action,” Predoiu said,
according to an Interior Ministry (MAI) press release sent to AGERPRES on
Friday.
Catalin Predoiu highlighted Romania’s approach to combating migrant
smuggling, which, by intensifying cooperation with its neighbours, but
also with regional partners and European institutions, has managed to
achieve important results in terms of border security and migration
management. The implementation, together with the Commission and EU
agencies, of a pilot project with Serbian partners, has contributed to a
massive decrease in attempted illegal border crossings at the
Romanian-Serbian border, the release reads.
smuggling, which, by intensifying cooperation with its neighbours, but
also with regional partners and European institutions, has managed to
achieve important results in terms of border security and migration
management. The implementation, together with the Commission and EU
agencies, of a pilot project with Serbian partners, has contributed to a
massive decrease in attempted illegal border crossings at the
Romanian-Serbian border, the release reads.
According to Frontex data, in the first nine months of 2024, the number
of detections on the Western Balkan route recorded the largest decrease
of all migration routes (-79%).
of detections on the Western Balkan route recorded the largest decrease
of all migration routes (-79%).
According to MAI, Romania’s actions have strengthened the country’s role
as a regional security provider.
as a regional security provider.
The minister described organised crime, in particular trafficking in
human beings and drug trafficking, as “the most serious” challenge facing
member states.
human beings and drug trafficking, as “the most serious” challenge facing
member states.
In this context, it is important for all relevant actors (EU, member
states, European agencies) to step up existing cooperation and develop
new ways to fight it, the release points out.
states, European agencies) to step up existing cooperation and develop
new ways to fight it, the release points out.
A joint declaration was adopted at the ministerial meeting, which aims to
continue cooperation among member states on topics of common interest
addressed during the discussions.
continue cooperation among member states on topics of common interest
addressed during the discussions.