Giovanni Pittella: Romania and Bulgaria are rightful partners of EU; they should enter Schengen

Leader of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group in the European Parliament, Giovanni Pittella, on Saturday said at the National Council of the PSD [Social Democratic Party] works, held at the Parliament Palace in Bucharest, that Romania and Bulgaria are 'rightful partners of the EU', which is why they should enter the Schengen zone.

Photo (c) Liviu SOVA /AGERPRES PHOTO

'We defend the right to mobility ? Romania and Bulgaria are rightful partners of the EU, which is why they should enter Schengen. This is what we think as Social Democrats and this is how we understand to approach the new challenges and worries,' said Pittella, while referring to the objectives of the European Social Democrats.
He also added that, alongside the Romanian MEPs, they are trying to change the social-economic situation in Europe.

'I am happy that I belong to the Social Democratic family. I am an Italian and, the same as all the other Italians, I love Romania. I have known you for at least 20 years now. I first met Victor Bostinaru and together we have built the road to a social democratic society. Today, together with my colleagues, I am engaged in three missions. The first one is to change the social-economic situation in Europe. Today, thanks to Mr. Victor Ponta, you have a 3 per cent growth recorded in your GDP. But Romania's market is Europe and if Europe doesn't change, then you still won't be successful. Thus, we must change the austerity policies,' said Pittella.

The leader of the Socialists and Democrats in the EU also said that another objective of the group is to try 'to overcome the crisis at the European border ? Ukraine, Middle East, the Palestinian crisis' and to secure the defence of human rights, regardless of race, sex or...