Romania Optimistic on Summer CVM Report

This summer's Co-operation and Verification Mechanism report may very well be the last one, the country's Foreign Minister Cristian Diaconescu believes.

"Under the current system, I have enough arguments to believe that this will be the last reprt within the framework of the mechanism," Diaconescu has told Agerpres, as cited by the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency.

The Romanian Foreign Minister reiterated that the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism should not be tied to other issues such as his country's potential Schengen entry.

On Wednesday, Diakonescu met with Catherine Day, Secretary General of the European Commission.

Day also reiterated the very clear position of the institution she represents with respect to the distinct character of CVM reports and Schengen enlargement.

Romania and Bulgaria have been placed under the so-called EU Co-operation and Verification Mechanism in justice and home affairs, in view of perceived problems in the management of corruption and organized crime.

Even though February's CVM report on the two EU newcomers did not contain political assessments, it was widely interpreted as more positive on Romania than on Bulgaria.

The Netherlands will continue opposing Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen aspirations until its sees  two consecutive positive CVM reports.

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