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Juncker: If justice laws remain in current form, discussions on CVM, Schengen - in other terms
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday told a press conference he held în Brussels jointly with the Romanian President, Klaus Iohannis, that he is "very well informed" about the matters related to the rule of law and has "a civilized dialogue" with the Executive in Bucharest.
He answered thus to a question related to the fact that in Romania certain statements implied that the European Commission would be misinformed in respect to what happens in Romania.
"I took note of the fact that I was, how I should say this, misinformed, and I would like to tell you that I am very well informed in respect to the decisions concerning the rule of law," said the President of the European Commission.
He underscored that he trusted the judiciary system in Romania, which "works." "I have a civilized dialogue with the Romanian government, but the judiciary system in Romania works and we cannot say the same about all the member states now," he pointed out.
If the justice laws in Romania remain as adopted by Parliament, the discussions on the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) and the Schengen accession will be "in other terms", the "natural" place of Romania being in the Schengen area, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said .
Juncker spoke about the proposals to amend the Romanian justice laws, but also about the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism, and the Schengen accession. "The natural place deserved by Romania is inside the Schengen area and this commission will not cease until the CVM is abolished, until Romania is recognized among the Schengen states," the President of the Commission pointed out. However, he pointed out that if the Laws of Justice remain in the current form, these discussions will be "in other terms".
"If the laws of Romania remain as adopted by Parliament, the discussions on the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism and the Schengen accession will be put in other terms. We await the decisions of the Constitutional Court and if everything goes well, we must ensure Romania its place in the Schengen area, because Romanians do not deserve to be treated as second-class citizens," said Jean-Claude Juncker.
În his opinion, the rule of law "has made outstanding progress in Romania" and the European Commission will not accept Romania taking "backsteps" on this path.
"The rule of law has made outstanding progress in Romania and it is in an acceptable stage. We won't accept Romania taking backsteps on this path. It must be an irreversible progress and I trust the judicial system in Romania," Jean-Claude Juncker said.