Romanian seaports and international airports are preparing for the country's entry into the Schengen Area on Sunday.

This means that Romanians travelling within the European Union and to Schengen associated states will no longer have to go through border control to have their documents checked, but will go directly to the boarding gates.

The only checks that remain in place are security checks.

To symbolically mark this moment, a new departure terminal was inaugurated at Traian Vuia Airport in Timisoara on Friday.

There are eight boarding gates, six security screens, 18 check-in counters, restaurants, cafes and commercial spaces - all on a 12.000 square metre area.

Throughput is 1.500 passengers per hour. The investment from European funds and the airport's own budget amounts to around 200 million lei.

Transport Minister Sorin Grindeanu said the new terminal will increase the current capacity of Timisoara airport by 50% and provide easier access to the EU area.

"This terminal will be used for Schengen destinations, whether we are talking about Bucharest or Munich, while the old terminal we all know will be for non-Schengen destinations."

Present at the inauguration, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said that the new terminal is proof that the current investments are in line with the development needs of the communities and expressed confidence that by the end of the year Romania will join the land Schengen Area.

"Justice is beginning to be done for Romania after 14 years. I am firmly convinced that by the end of the year we will take all the measures to join the Schengen land area as well".

For his part, Senate President Nicolae Ciuca recalled that the timing coincides with Romania's 20th anniversary of NATO membership.

Translated by Radu Matei

SOURCE: Radio România Actualități