The President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has reiterated Germany’s stance that Romania’s place is in the Schengen Area.

His comments came during his visit to Bucharest, where he held talks with his Romanian counterpart Klaus Werner Iohannis. In addition, Steinmeier reiterated Germany’s support for the Balkan country’s accession to the EU’s visa-free travel zone, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

“I am also aware of the fact that in Romania, as before, there is a great expectation regarding full Schengen membership status. You also know the opinion of the federal government – we have been of the opinion for a long time that Romania’s place is in the Schengen Area, and I can assure you that our support to convince those who are on the sidelines will continue,” the President of Germany emphasised.

At the same time, the Romanian President welcomed Germany’s support regarding Romania’s accession to Schengen Zone while expressing his hopes that increased efforts to support the European goal to strengthen internal security as well as protection of the external borders of the EU will finalise the admission of this Balkan country to the Schengen Area.

Earlier this month, Germany reaffirmed its support of Romania’s accession to the Schengen Zone. The comments came during the Gymnich meeting held in Stockholm between Romania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, as well as the Minister of Foreign Minister of Germany, Annalena Baerbock.

In addition, last month, during a visit to Romania’s capital, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed that he wants the Balkan country in the Schengen Zone this year. Scholz’s comments came during a meeting he held with the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, as well as Moldovan President, Maia Sandu.

“Germany is firmly on Romania’s side. This also means (…) the goal of Romania finally obtaining full Schengen membership this year,” Scholz pointed out in a press statement, he stressed, according to the Xihuanet report.

Romania’s accession to Schengen Zone was blocked in December last year by Austria and the Netherlands over illegal migrant concerns.

Last month, Austria’s Minister of the Interior, Gerhard Karner, justifying his position, introduced data which revealed that a large number of human traffickers arrested in Austria last year were Romanians. He emphasized that among the traffickers apprehended in 2022, Romanians were in fourth place.

Austria’s Minister of Interior last month also emphasised that Austria’s position regarding the membership of Romania to the Schengen Zone remains unchanged, in spite of support for the finalisation of this process offered by other countries.