site.btaEP President Roberta Metsola: Schengen Won't Be Complete until Romania Joins

The Schengen area will not be completed until Romania also joins it, European Parliament (EP) President Roberta Metsola, who arrived for the congress of the European People's Party (EPP) in Bucharest, said on Wednesday.

She said that she would support the integration of the country into the border-free area during the EPP congress, including discussions with the authorities of other countries. Metsola said that Romania is supported by "numerous friends" who will help it reach Schengen.

"Today, I am 100 percent committed to this aim. A very important decision will be made at the end of this Monday, March 31," Metsola was quoted as saying by AGERPRES during discussions with Romanian youth in Bucharest's National Opera House.

In all these years since Romania joined the EU as a member in 2007, there has been an incredible effort to transform the country, so one more thing must be done. In 2011, many years ago, this was stated in Parliament, I said this before and I will continue to say it: we will put in effort. I will make efforts myself, I will discuss not only with my Romanian counterparts - because I am meeting with all the authorities - I will also speak with authorities from other countries. You have my word that I will support Romania's integration into the Schengen Area, said the EP President.