Enlarge image
Markus Söder visiting a monastery in Romania
Photo: Peter Kneffel / dpa
The relationship between the CSU and Romania shows how times have changed.
Less than ten years ago, the party was still stirring up sentiment against "immigration into the social systems" from the EU state.
The reason for this was planned travel facilitation for citizens of Romania and Bulgaria within the EU - a red rag for many conservatives at the time.
Today, CSU boss and Prime Minister Markus Söder strikes a completely different note.
He traveled to Bucharest and the reason for the visit is not the desire to prevent immigration, but the hope that it will be encouraged: In Söder's opinion, Romania should become a member of the Schengen area in the EU as soon as possible.
There are not first and second class EU members, said Söder.
He announced to the Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca and President Klaus Iohannis that he wanted to support Romania's accession.
Growth in Romania, shortage of skilled workers in Bavaria
For him, this also includes contacting Austria directly, which has so far spoken out against Romania's accession to that zone in Europe in which border controls are largely dispensed with, according to Söder.
Austria has so far categorically rejected the accession of the EU country Romania to the Schengen area.
"Romania is not part of the problem with Schengen, but part of the solution," said Söder.
Accession is "more than acceptable".
The reason for the change of course is the economic development, both in Romania and in Germany.
There is a labor shortage in Germany, and Bavaria is also badly affected.
Romania, on the other hand, has many years of boom behind it.
In the meantime, the country was Europe's fastest growing economy.
"We are here to visit neighbors and friends and want to deepen old relationships," said Söder.
His visit should be seen as a "form of special appreciation" for the country and the people.
Söder emphasized that around 209,000 Romanians live in Bavaria, which is the largest foreign ethnic group.
The background to Söder's trip to the Balkans is the lack of well-trained workers in Bavaria - especially in nursing.
"We are specifically looking for urgently needed specialists and approach the embassies when work is initiated," said Söder.
An office with Bavarian employees in the Albanian capital, Tirana, is intended to help speed up the visa process, which often takes a long time.
The goal is a “Fast Lane”, i.e. an accelerated entry procedure.
In return, so to speak, Söder offers both countries support for their political plans: while Romania wants to become part of the Schengen area, Albania wants to become a member of the European Union.
beb/dpa
