Romanian Senate President Tariceanu attends 16th meeting of Association of European Senates

President of the Romanian Senate Calin Popescu Tariceanu on Thursday and Friday took part in the 16th meeting of the Association of European Senates in the Hague, the Senate reports in a press release.

Photo credit: (c) GRIGORE POPESCU / AGERPRES ARCHIVE

The delegation of the Romanian Senate had bilateral meetings with Dutch Senate President Ankie Broekers-Knol, Belgian Senate President Christine Defraigne, Deputy President of the French Senate Jean-Claude Gaudin, and Italian Senate President Pietro Grasso to discuss the latest political and economic developments in Romania, Romania's accession to the border-free Schengen Area, the cooperation and verification mechanism (CVM), the rule of law and the fight against corruption in the EU.

Tariceanu is quoted as having underscored that one of Romania's top priorities is to win a positive decision on its accession to the Schengen Area, also emphasising Romania's contribution to the security of the EU borders.

He also spoke himself in favour of the CVM being lifted, arguing that although Romania's progress with judiciary reform is obvious, the political decision is delayed and the CVM benchmarks have become moving targets.

'The high-ranking officials of the four countries voiced support for Romania in the process of accession to the Schengen Area, appreciating the progress of Romania under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism. At the same time, an exchange of opinions happened on the smooth running of parliamentary systems in Europe, particularly in terms of the role of higher chambers,' reads the press release of the Senate.

The 16th edition of the meeting of the Association of European Senates discussed modern concepts for the operation of national senates in bicameral...