EXCLUSIVE: Romania’s Fight For Schengen Accession Dignified, Says Country’s EU Commissioner

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"Romania's best ally for Schengen accession is the technical reality. Unfortunately, the political reality isn't. Romania has met is obligations and has prepared for Schengen accession and its stance on the issue is dignified and fact-based. I am glad Romania, when convinced it is right, has learnt to say no and defend its position with its head held high," the Romanian EU Commissioner for Agriculture told MEDIAFAX.

Ciolos said Romania needs to continue to back its cause with technical arguments and it will be the country's decision whether or not to accept a wider discussion on criteria that exceed Schengen requirements.

The EU Commissioner added Romanian citizens already have the right to free movement within the EU and the biggest beneficiaries of the border-free Schengen area are in fact citizens of non-EU states.

"Moreover, let's not forget that countries like the U.K. are not part of the Schengen area by choice," he said, adding he is surprised the public opinion and politicians react so dramatically to the issue.

"I don't want this to be interpreted as a 'sour grapes' approach: it is useful and important for Romania to join the Schengen area but I'm surprised at how the public opinion and even politicians dramatize this obligation so excessively and somehow judge it as being as important a step as when Romania joined the EU in 2007," said Ciolos.