"In times of crisis, solutions are not national, but European", emphasised the Chairman of the EPP Group who is in Bucharest for meetings with Romanian President Basescu and Prime Minister Boc.

"But we can only convince our people to play the European game if the rules are clear, solid and identical for everyone. This is also the case for accession to the Schengen zone", said Joseph Daul.

"I welcome the efforts made by Bucharest to fulfil the Schengen criteria and I hope, with the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, that these efforts can be quickly rewarded. My Group will, as always, make sure that security at our external borders is taken seriously. We expect a responsible and constructive approach from the Council in this respect."

The Chairman of the most influential European parliamentary Group, accompanied by his Vice-Chairman, Romanian Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP, also broached the subjects of European public finances, agriculture, energy and the Eastern Partnership.

"21 out of 27 governments in Europe are from the EPP family. This gives us a big responsibility and I note that the Romanian Government is also fully taking its responsibilities, be it in the clean-up of public finances or in the implementation of border controls", concluded Joseph Daul MEP.

(Translation from the original French)

For further information:
Joseph DAUL MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group, Tel: +32-2-2847525
Antoine Ripoll, Chairman's Spokesman, Tel: +32-475-856290

Notes to Editors:
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 265 Members.