Economy more important than joining Schengen, says Dutch ambassador

Newsroom 25/08/2015 | 16:36

The Netherlands will agree with Romania joining the Schengen area when the country will meet all the requirements and will address all the issues related to its CVM report, said Matthijs van Bonzel, the Dutch ambassador to Bucharest during a press conference, adding that in his opinion the focus should be on the local economy, according to Mediafax. This was the ambassador’s last press conference before ending his term in Romania.

Asked to comment on the Fiscal Code, the Dutch diplomat stressed the need for investments. “It is important for Romania to invest in infrastructure, health and education. Investments are necessary, everyone agrees on that. If you have public funds, I suggest you invest that money in public areas here there are issues, not give them back to the people. It could be a mix – to give some back to the people, to have more money to spend, but the question is how much. Public money exists to be directed towards public issues not to be given back to the people,” said the ambassador.

Dutch investors see Romania as a “developing country”, said the ambassador. The diplomat added that from his recent talks with several Dutch businesspeople, it emerged that Romania could attract some investors who are currently active on Asian markets given the issues the region is facing.