Full integration into the Schengen area by the end of the year, "a feasible goal"

Integration into the Schengen area with road borders also, is a feasible goal by the end of the year, says Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu. He says the Romanian side has already completed preparations for accession with air and sea borders, approved by the EU Council and scheduled for the end of this month.

Catalin Predoiu: We are in permanent contact with the Austrian Ministry of Interior. I have personally had talks with Minister Karner at length this year, three times so far, most recently last week in Vienna. The relationship is very good, we cooperate very well; border protection, fighting illegal migration, fighting cross-border crime. I proposed to Minister Karner to extend our cooperation beyond Schengen and to have a very strong platform of international police cooperation with Austria. We are very interested in fighting drug trafficking and human trafficking.

From one week tomorrow, Romanian and Bulgarian citizens will be able to travel to Schengen Member States without border controls at airports and ports. According to RRA editor Alexandru Lancuzov, 70% of Romanians travelling abroad by plane are bound for countries in the European free movement area.

Translated by: Radu Matei