Radio România Internațional

Tag: CVM

November 15, 2017 UPDATE

UPDATE: The US
Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, is currently in Romania. He made a stopover
in Bucharest, upon returning from a trip to Asia, the AGERPRES news agency
reports.

The US Embassy in Bucharest has confirmed the presence of the US
high ranking official in Romania, underlining however that Rex Tillerson does
not have an official agenda in Romania.

According
to diplomatic sources, the US Secretary of State was welcomed
at the airport by the Romanian foreign
minister, Teodor Meleșcanu.

The
American official will spend the night in Bucharest, after having flown back from Myanmar,
where he met with Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi and with the commander of the army, general
Min Aung Hlaing, against the backdrop of the humanitarian crisis facing the Rohingya minority.

CVM – The European Commission on Wednesday released its latest report on Romania’s progress as regards its reforms of the judiciary and the fight against corruption, two aspects monitored under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, set up in 2007, the year of Romania’s EU accession. According to this report, Romania has reported some progress in such fields as investigating conflicts of interest in the field of public procurement, although reform momentum in the course of 2017 was lost overall, slowing down the fulfilment of the remaining recommendations the Commission set out for Romania to address the unresolved identified shortcomings. Thus Romania runs the risk of re-opening issues which the January 2017 report had considered as fulfilled. Challenges to and questioning judicial independence have also been a persistent source of concern, the report also reads. I count on the Romanian Government to pursue the necessary reforms, and to avoid backtracking, so that we can work together towards the goal of ending the CVM under this Commission’s mandate, European Vice-President Frans Timmermans said. President Klaus Iohannis on Wednesday said the report represents a serious warning for the current ruling coalition to consider, adding that Romania’s sustained efforts to strengthen reforms in the field of the judiciary and combat corruption might be endangered by the actions of a group of politicians who refuse to accept that their duty is to serve citizens, not personal or partisan interests. In turn, Romania’s Justice Minister Tudorel Toader believes the report highlights significant progress, and that the country can fulfil its objective to have the CVM lifted over the coming year. The Commission’s next report will be at the end of 2018.

COMMEMORATION – The city of Brasov in central Romania on Wednesday marked 30 years since the workers’ anti-communist uprising. On November 15, 1987, the employees of a factory protested against the leadership, chanting slogans against dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. The state police repressed the uprising violently. Hundreds were arrested over the coming days, many of whom never returned to the city. The Prosecutor’s Office with the High Court of Cassation and Justice announced the start of a new investigation into the violence that stifled the workers’ anti-communist uprising. Classified as part of the communist-era crimes ongoing investigation, the prosecutors’ efforts will focus on crimes against humanity, perpetrated by those who systematically repressed the groups of protesters.

BUDGET ADJUSTMENT – The Romanian Government on Wednesday made a second budget adjustment this year, observing the budget deficit target of 2.9% of the GDP. According to the Finance Ministry, the adjustment will be positive and based on an economic growth that exceeded the original forecast. Additional funds will be made available to cover salaries in the primary education sector and for the child protection system. The Labour Ministry will also get additional funds for payments to disabled people and for covering child-rearing benefits. The Interior Ministry will get funds to pay the law-enforcement pensions, while the Health Ministry will be able to pay the salaries of resident medical officers. The Ministries for the Business Environment, Trade and Entrepreneurship, of Finances, Culture, the Environment, for Regional Development and European Funds, respectively, will see their budgets slashed. In another development, Prime Minister Mihai Tudose attended a meeting with the leaders of one of the biggest trade confederations in Romania, CNSLR Frăţia, which has warned it would stage an all-out strike if net salaries will go down as a result of the newly adopted Fiscal Code. Prime Minister Tudose has repeatedly said the transfer of social security contributions from employers to employees, stipulated in the Government’s emergency decree, will not lead to income cuts.

THE VATICAN – Romania’s Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu on Tuesday had talks with Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States with the Holy See’s Secretariat of State. In 2017 Romania and the Vatican mark 90 years since the two states signed the Concordat and 80 years since the set-up of the PIO Romeno College. The two officials looked at the best ways to diversify bilateral relations and boost top-level dialogue. The two officials also discussed the forthcoming visit of Pope Francis to Romania. Teodor Melescanu expressed Romania’s deep gratitude towards the Catholic Church for hosting several communities of Orthodox or Catholic Romanians in Western Europe, as well as for the Holy See’s special support for opening a Lecturers’ Office for Romanian Literature, Culture and Civilization with the Pontifical Oriental Institute. We recall that Pope John Paul II paid a historic visit to Romania in 1999, the first a Pontiff ever made to a country with an Orthodox majority population.

FOOTBALL – Romanian’s national football team on Tuesday lost nil-3 the home friendly match against the Netherlands. In last week’s friendly match, Romania won 2-nil against Turkey. We recall that Cosmin Contra is Romania’s new coach, taking over from German Cristoph Daum, who was sacked in September. With Daum at its helm Romania failed to qualify to the 2018 World Cup, to be hosted by Russia. Also on Tuesday, Romania’s under-21 team drew nil-all against Wales away from home, in a matching counting towards the 2019 Under-21 European Championship preliminaries. With three wins and three draws, Romania ranks first in the group, which also includes Bosnia Herzegovina, Switzerland, Wales, Portugal and Lichtenstein.

15 November 2017
Nachrichten 15.11.2017

Präsident Klaus Iohannis hat den jüngsten Fortschrittsbericht der Europäischen Kommission zum rumänischen Justizwesen als Warnzeichen für die Regierungskoalition bezeichnet. Das Bündnis aus Sozialdemokraten und der Allianz der Liberalen und Demokraten (ALDE) sollte den Bericht im Rahmen des sogenannten Kooperations- und Kontrollverfahrens (CVM) berücksichtigen, so der Staatschef. Er verwies darauf, dass die ganzen Anstrengungen Rumäniens zur Stärkung der Justizreform und für die Korruptionsbekämpfung durch die Handlungen einiger Politiker gefährdet werden könnten. Diese wollten nicht akzeptieren, dass sie im Dienste der Bürger arbeiteten und nicht einiger Partei- oder Gruppeninteressen dienten. Im aktuellen CVM-Bericht behauptet die Europäische Kommission, dass der allgemeine Reformrhythmus 2017 stagniert habe und die Herausforderungen für die Unabhängigkeit des rumänischen Justizsystems besorgniserregend seien. Dennoch habe man Fortschritte in Bereichen wie der Überprüfung der Interessenkonflikte oder bei den öffentlichen Ausschreibungen festgestellt. Die Bukarester Regierung müsse die notwendigen Reformen fortsetzen und Rückschritte vermeiden, will sie das Ziel zur Aussetzung des CVM während der aktuellen Amtszeit der Kommission (2018) erreichen, erklärte der Erst-Vizepräsident der Europäischen Kommission, Frans Timmermans. Der rumänische Justizminister Tudorel Toader meinte, der Bericht hebe Fortschritte hervor und Rumänien könne sein Ziel betreffend die Aufhebung des CVM im Laufe des nächsten Jahres erfüllen.

Die Bukarester Regierung hat am Mittwoch die zweite Haushaltskorrektur für dieses Jahr, unter Einhaltung des Defizitziels von 2,9% des BIP, gebilligt. Laut dem Finanzministerium sei die besagte Anpassung positiv und stüze sich auf das diesjährige Wirtschaftswachstum, das die Erwartungen übertrifft. Zusätzliche Gelder werden für die Zahlung der Löhne im voruniversitären Bildungswesen und für den Kinderschutz bereitgestellt. Zusätzliche Mittel erhalten auch das Arbeitsministerium für Zuwendungen an Personen mit Behinderungen und für die Zahlung des Kindergeldes, das Innenministerium für die Renten der Polizisten und das Gesundheitsministerium für die Gehälter der auszubildenden Ärzte. Kürzungen wird es beim Kulturministerium, beim Ministerium für Regionalentwicklung, beim Ministerium für Europäische Fördermittel und beim Finanzministerium geben. Unterdessen beteiligt sich Premierminister Mihai Tudose an dem Führungstreffen des größten Gewerkschaftsverbandes CNSLR Frăţia, der mit dem Generalstreik gedroht hat, sollten die Nettolöhne infolge der Steuerreform fallen. Premierminister Tudose wiederholte mehrmals, dass die vollständige Übertragung der Sozialabgaben auf die Arbeitnehmer, die in der neulich per Eilverordnung verabschiedeten Steuerreform vorgesehen ist, nicht zur Senkung derer Einkommen führen werde.

Im zentralrumänischen Braşov (Kronstadt) sind am Mittwoch 30 Jahre seit dem antikommunistischen Aufstand in der Stadt begangen worden. Damals protestierten die Angestellten eines Werkes gegen die Führung und riefen Parolen gegen Diktator Nicolae Ceauşescu. Die Sicherheitsorgane unterdrückten die Revolte mit Gewalt. Hunderte Personen wurden an den nachfolgenden Tagen verhaftet. Viele von ihnen sollten nie wieder in die Stadt zurückkehren. Die Staatsanwaltschaft des Obersten Justiz- und Kassationshofes Rumäniens kündigte Ermittlungen im Fall der Repression des antikommunistischen Arbeiteraufstandes in Kronstadt. Die Untersuchungen der Staatsanwälte sind Bestandteil der sog. Akte Verbrechen des Kommunismus“, in der wegen Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit ermittelt wird. Verdächtigt werden die Sicherheitsbehörden, die repressiv und systematisch gegen die Protestteilnehmer von damals vorgegangen sind.

Notenbankchef Mugur Isărescu hat erneut vor der Gefahr des Handelsbilanzdefizits für die Wirtschaft gewarnt. Das Defizit sei in den letzten Monaten aufgrund des hohen Binnenkonsums zu stark angestiegen. Ein unausgewogenes Wirtschaftswachstum würde in langfristigen Problemen münden, sagte der Gouverneur der Zentralbank noch. Die Nationalbank unterstütze eine Steigerung von Konsum und Gehältern, allerdings in den notwendigen Dosierungen entsprechend der Arbeitsproduktivität, so Isărescu abschließend.

15 November 2017
November 15, 2017

CVM — The European Commission today released its latest report on Romania’s progress as regards its reforms of the judiciary and the fight against corruption, two aspects monitored under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, set up in 2007, the year of Romania’s EU accession. According to this report, Romania has reported some progress in such fields as investigating conflicts of interest in the field of public procurement, although reform momentum in the course of 2017 was lost overall, slowing down the fulfillment of the remaining recommendations the Commission set out for Romania to address the unresolved identified shortcomings. Thus Romania runs the risk of re-opening issues which the January 2017 report had considered as fulfilled. Challenges to and questioning judicial independence have also been a persistent source of concern, the report also reads. I count on the Romanian Government to pursue the necessary reforms, and to avoid backtracking, so that we can work together towards the goal of ending the CVM under this Commissions mandate, European Vice-President Frans Timmermans said. President Klaus Iohannis today said the report represents a serious warning for the current ruling coalition to consider, adding that Romania’s sustained efforts to strengthen reforms in the field of the judiciary and combat corruption might be endangered by the actions of a group of politicians who refuse to accept that their duty is to serve citizens, not personal or partisan interests. In turn, Romania’s Justice Minister Tudorel Toader believes the report highlights significant progress, and that the country can fulfill its objective to have the CVM lifted over the coming year. The Commission’s next report will be at the end of 2018.

COMMEMORATION — The city of Brasov in central Romania today marks 30 years since the workers’ anti-communist uprising. The employees of a factory at the time protested against the leadership, chanting slogans against dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. The state police repressed the uprising violently. Hundreds were arrested over the coming days, many of whom never returned to the city. The Prosecutor’s Office with the High Court of Cassation and Justice announced the start of a new investigation into the violence that stifled the workers’ anti-communist uprising. Classified as part of the “communist-era crimes” ongoing investigation, the prosecutors’ efforts will focus on crimes against humanity, perpetrated by those who systematically repressed the groups of protesters.

BUDGET ADJUSTMENT — The Government is today discussing the second budget adjustment this year. According to the Finance Ministry, the adjustment will be positive and based on an economic growth that exceeded the original forecast. Additional funds will be made available to cover salaries in the primary education sector and for the child protection system. The Labour Ministry will also get additional funds for payments to disabled people and for covering child-rearing benefits. The Interior Ministry will get funds to pay the law-enforcement pensions, while the Health Ministry will be able to pay the salaries of resident medical officers. The Ministries of Culture, the Environment, Regional Development, European Funds and the Finance Ministry will see their budgets slashed. In another development, Prime Minister Mihai Tudose is attending a meeting with the leaders of one of the biggest trade confederations in Romania, CNSLR Frăţia, which has warned it would stage an all-out strike if net salaries will go down as a result of the newly adopted Fiscal Code. Prime Minister Tudose has repeatedly said the transfer of social security contributions from employers to employees, stipulated in the Government’s emergency decree, will not lead to income cuts.

THE VATICAN — Romania’s Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu on Tuesday had talks with Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States with the Holy Sees Secretariat of State. In 2017 Romania and the Vatican mark 90 years since the two states signed the Concordat and 80 years since the setup of the PIO Romeno College. The two officials looked at the best ways to diversify bilateral relations and boost top-level dialogue. The two officials also discussed the forthcoming visit of Pope Francis to Romania. Teodor Melescanu expressed Romania’s deep gratitude towards the Catholic Church for hosting several communities of Orthodox or Catholic Romanians in Western Europe, as well as for the Holy See’s special support for opening a Lecturers’ Office for Romanian Literature, Culture and Civilization with the Pontifical Oriental Institute. We recall that Pope John Paul II paid a historic visit to Romania in 1999, the first a Pontiff ever made to a country with an Orthodox majority population.

FOOTBALL — Romanian’s national football team on Tuesday lost nil-3 the home friendly match against the Netherlands. In last week’s friendly match, Romania won 2-nil against Turkey. We recall that Cosmin Contra is Romania’s new coach, taking over from German Cristoph Daum, who was sacked in September. With Daum at its helm Romania failed to qualify to the 2018 World Cup, to be hosted by Russia. Also on Tuesday, Romania’s under-21 team drew nil-all against Wales away from home, in a matching counting towards the 2019 Under-21 European Championship preliminaries. With three wins and three draws, Romania ranks first in the group, which also includes Bosnia Herzegovina, Switzerland, Wales, Portugal and Lichtenstein. (Translated by V. Palcu)

15 November 2017
Justice Minister presents plans to amend the laws on the judiciary

On Wednesday, the Justice Minister Tudorel Toader presented before Parliaments special committee the bill modifying the laws on the judiciary. From the very beginning, this reform initiative has triggered harsh criticism from the opposition and civil society, with the president labeling it as “an attack on the rule of law”. The Superior Council of Magistracy has in turn issued a negative opinion on the initiative. The law would restrict the remit of the National Anticorruption Directorate, preventing it from investigating magistrates.

Another change regards the way chief prosecutors are appointed. Under the new law a special unit responsible for investigating crimes perpetrated by magistrates is to be set up. Before the committee, Minister Toader presented a milder version of the law in what regards the appointment of high-ranking prosecutors, saying that he had referred the matter to the Venice Commission so as to reflect the recommendations stipulated under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) for Romania with respect to reforming the countrys judiciary and the fight against corruption. As regards the new Justice Inspectorate body, the line minister said the Governments bill provided for the setting up of this institution as a separate body.

Justice Minister Toader has stated:

“The Justice Inspectorate will not be subordinated to the Superior Council of Magistracy, nor to the Justice Ministry, but it will operate as an independent, autonomous institution in order to fulfill its constitutional mission”.

Minister Toader went on to say that a special law regulating this new institution would be adopted within six months. As regards magistrates accountability, Tudorel Toader said judges will have patrimonial liability over any actions performed in bad faith. Liberal MP Catalin Predoiu from the opposition, a former Justice Minister himself, referred to the real stake of this legislative initiative:

“This attempt at modifying the laws on the judiciary seeks to accomplish one single goal, namely to change the way high-ranking prosecutors are being appointed. Invoking the CVM to politicize the current paradigm, transferring the decision-making power to the Justice Ministry or who knows where else is merely a pretext for the Social-Democrats”.

Next week, the bill will be debated by Parliaments special committee responsible for unifying and ensuring legislative stability in the field of the judiciary. Meanwhile, the High Court of Cassation and Justice has called on Parliament to send the bill back to the Justice Ministry, claiming the document was not elaborated in a transparent manner and that it violates the legal provisions regulating the mechanism of drafting and adopting new legislation. (translated by Vlad Palcu)

26 October 2017
Schengen-Beitritt Rumäniens weiterhin ungewiss

Mit dem Kooperations- und Überprüfungsmechanismus untersucht die Europäische Kommission die Fortschritte Rumäniens in Bereichen wie der Korruptionsbekämpfung, Justiz und der Bekämpfung organisierter Kriminalität. Verantwortliche in Bukarest behaupten allerdings, dass zwischen den nicht erfüllten Zielen des genannten Kontrollinstruments und dem Schengen-Beitritt kein Zusammenhang hergestellt werden sollte. Rumänien hat bereits vor Jahren die technischen Auflagen für die Aufnahme in den grenzkontrollfreien Raum erfüllt. Obwohl Entscheidungsträger in Brüssel dies regelmä‎ßig in der Öffentlichkeit bestätigen, lie‎ß der konkrete Beitritt noch auf sich warten.

Doch jetzt scheint Rumänien, angesichts der massenhaften Migrationsströme nach Westeuropa in den vergangenen Jahren, seinem Ziel viel näher gekommen zu sein. In seiner Ansprache zur Lage der Union plädierte EU-Kommissionspräsident Jean-Claude Juncker im September für den Schengen-Beitritt der beiden Länder. Die Botschaft wurde kurze Zeit später vom europäischen Sicherheitskommissar Julian King in Bukarest bekräftigt.

Auch die Sonderberichterstatterin Ulla Schmidt stimmte in der rumänischen Hauptstadt ähnliche Töne an. Sie war für die Vorstellung eines Dokuments zur Förderung der Stabilität im Schwarzmeer-Raum“ nach Bukarest gekommen. Dort sagte Schmidt, dass der Schengen-Beitritt Rumäniens und Bulgariens einen offensichtlich notwendigen Schritt darstelle, da die Voraussetzungen dafür erfüllt seien. Die Initiative der Synergieeffekte am Schwarzen Meer muss wiederbelebt und durch eine makroregionale Strategie ergänzt werden. Ich glaube, dass im Zeitraum 2018-2019, wenn Rumänien und Bulgarien den rotierenden EU-Vorsitz übernehmen, das riesige Potential des Schwarzen Meeres während der zwei Amtszeiten noch einmal verdeutlicht wird“, so die Sonderberichterstatterin Ulla Schmidt. In ihrem Bericht steht weiter, dass die Schwarzmeer-Region trotz ihres Potentials mit erheblichen Problemen konfrontiert wird. Die Entwicklung in der Region könnte sowohl eine positive Richtung einschlagen als auch in die nächste Krise führen.

Im September gab es seitens der Europäischen Kommission zum ersten Mal einen offiziellen Aufruf an die Regierungen aller Mitgliedsstaaten: Sie sollten die vollberechtigte Schengen-Mitgliedschaft Rumäniens und Bulgariens unterstützen und die Notwendigkeit eines zügigen Aufnahmeverfahrens erkennen. Durch den Beitritt beider Länder würde die Sicherheitslage der EU vor dem Hintergrund terroristischer Bedrohungen und der migrationsbedingten Herausforderungen verbessert.

Derweil ist Politkommentator Bogdan Chrieac in Bukarest eher skeptisch, wenn es um die Aussichten auf einen Schengen-Beitritt geht. Und das, obwohl Jean-Claude Juncker sich offen dafür ausgesprochen hat.

Sie wissen sehr wohl, dass es genau dort Gegenreaktionen gegeben hat, wo wir sie nicht erwartet haben. Mehrere Länder, einschlie‎ßlich Österreich, haben sich gegen die Aufnahme in den Schengener Raum gestemmt. Andererseits glaube ich momentan selbst nicht, dass es der passende Zeitpunkt für einen Beitritt Rumäniens und Bulgariens wäre, da wir gro‎ße Probleme mit der Migration bekommen würden, die kaum zu bewältigen wären. Bis auf Weiteres führen die Migrationsströme nur nebenbei über Rumänien, sonst versuchen die Einwanderer direkt in die Schengen-Staaten vorzudringen. Also würden wir in dieser Hinsicht mit dem Beitritt vielmehr der EU einen Riesengefallen tun, als es für uns von Vorteil wäre.“

Indes bleiben die rumänischen Bestrebungen unverändert. Ob das positive Zeichen aus Brüssel in ein konkretes Verfahren münden wird, sei jedoch dahingestellt. Staaten wie die Niederlande könnten nämlich wie bisher an ihren Vorbehalten gegenüber dem Beitritt festhalten. Politikexperte Cornel Codiţă spricht im Interview mit Radio Rumänien von zwei existierenden Lagern.

Es gibt derzeit eine Kluft, eine Spaltung zwischen den Vorstellungen der Kommission, den in den Medien verbreiteten Botschaften des Kommissionspräsidenten und der, sagen wir mal, politischen Stimmung bei den politischen Anführern in den wichtigsten europäischen Staaten, nicht nur in den Niederlanden. Ich befürchte, dass sich am Ende das vom französischen Präsidenten Macron unlängst umgeschriebene Projekt durchsetzen wird. Das hei‎ßt, die Idee einer fortgeschrittenen Kooperation zwischen den fortgeschrittenen Staaten wird eine konkrete Form annehmen und das gesamte Schengener Konstrukt umgeschichtet. Es wird also höchstwahrscheinlich ein Schengen der Länder aus dem harten Kern geben und etwas anderes, man wei‎ß nicht genau was, für die restlichen Länder. Wenn, sagen wir mal, in einem oder anderthalb Jahren keine politische Entscheidung getroffen wird, dann nimmt unsere Chance, noch auf den alten Schengen-Zug aufzuspringen, sehr stark ab. Übrigens hat sich Emmanuel Macron zu dieser Frage bereits geäu‎ßert. Er sagte unverblümt, dass das alte Schengen-System, also das aktuelle System, nicht mehr funktioniert.“

Brüssel schlägt vorerst Ma‎ßnahmen zur Erhaltung und Stärkung des Schengener-Raums vor — ist in einer Absichtserklärung von Jean-Claude Juncker zu lesen. Die Kommission will den Schengener Grenz-Kodex aktualisieren, so dass die Normen über die vorübergehende Wiedereinführung von Grenzkontrollen an die aktuellen Gegebenheiten angepasst werden. Im Klartext: Man will imstande sein, auf schwerwiegende und stets wachsende Bedrohungen für die öffentliche Ordnung oder interne Sicherheit antworten zu können.

13 October 2017
July 27, 2017

LEGISLATION – The Government of Romania is discussing today a bill on vaccination, which lays down responsibilities for the authorities, healthcare staff and parents. The bill is designed to regulate the organisation and financing of vaccination in Romania, and to raise awareness on the benefits, safety, quality and possible adverse reactions of vaccines. The bill also provides for a national reserve stock covering at least the annual vaccine needs, with doses valid for at least one and a half years. The bill was drafted after the large number of measles cases and deaths caused by this disease prompted the World Health Organisation to include Romania in the 5 countries that total over 80% of the number of cases reported worldwide. We have more on this after the news.

MOLDOVA – The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova has dismissed today as unconstitutional an order signed by the pro-Russian Socialist President Igor Dodon regarding a planned referendum in September. The Court president, Tudor Panţâru, quoted by Radio Romania correspondents in Chişinău, said that by signing that order Dodon breached the Constitution. According to the order, the referendum scheduled for September 24 was designed to give the President increased powers in order to dismantle Parliament and call early elections. The Moldovan pro-European Liberals challenged the order and notified the Constitutional Court.

EXPO 2017 – The Romanian Foreign Minister, Teodor Meleşcanu, is on a visit to Kazakhstan today and tomorrow, to take part in the official ceremony occasioned by Romanias Day at “Expo 2017 Astana. Future Energy and to mark 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. According to a news release issued by the Foreign Ministry, during the visit Teodor Meleşcanu will have political talks with his counterpart, Kairat Abdrakhmanov, and meetings with officials and lawmakers in Kazakhstan. He will also visit Karaganda region, home to an important Romanian community. Expo 2017 Astana brings together participants from 114 countries and is due to end on September 10. Romanias stand will present the most powerful laser in the world, which is currently being built in Magurele, southern Romania.

JUSTICE – The Romanian Justice Minister, Tudorel Toader, discussed the progress in implementing the recommendations of the latest Cooperation and Verification Mechanism report, during a meeting with the first vice-president of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, in Brussels on Wednesday. Tudorel Toader emphasised that reforms in the judiciary will be operated in a transparent manner, based on public debates and consultations, and will follow the regular parliamentary procedure. In turn, Timmermans appreciated the major progress made by Romania in reforming its judicial system and fighting corruption, and said Brussels was expecting further improvement in this respect.

ART – As part of a Romanian-American cultural exchange project, the National Museum of Maps and Old Books in Bucharest and Blue Hill Art and Cultural Center put together an exhibition on contemporary American printmakers. The exhibition includes 34 works by 11 American artists, and the opening ceremony takes place today in Bucharest.

FOOTBALL – The 3 Romanian teams taking part in Europa League are playing tonight, on home turf, in the first leg of the competitions third preliminary round. Universitatea Craiova takes on the Italian side AC Milan, Dinamo Bucharest plays against Athletic Bilbao, and Astra Giurgiu against the Ukrainian team FK Oleksandria. On Wednesday night, Romanian champions FC Viitorul Constanţa defeated APOEL Nicosia 1-0, in the first leg of the third preliminary round of the Champions League. On Tuesday, in the same stage of the competition, vice-champions FCSB (formerly Steaua Bucharest) drew at home, 2-2, against the Czech side FC Viktoria Plzen. The second leg is scheduled for next week.

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

27 July 2017
The Week in Review, April 17-22

The first vice-president of the European Commission Frans Timmermans pays a formal visit to Bucharest

The Romanian legal system has become a model for other members of the EU, and Romanian citizens should be proud of it, said the first vice-president of the European Commission Frans Timmermans, who was on a formal visit to Bucharest. After talks with Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu and Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, the European official gave assurances that Brussels will acknowledge the fulfillment of the 12 recommendations set under the mechanism for monitoring the Romanian judiciary as soon as soon as this has happened. Frans Timmermans has also voiced confidence that the best guarantee that the fight against corruption will continue are the Romanian citizens themselves. Under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism set up by the European Commission, the judicial systems in Romania and Bulgaria have been monitored ever since accession, in 2007, with the aim of overcoming deficiencies existing in the justice system and fighting corruption in these countries. In turn, Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu has stated he would like to see the Mechanism completed before Romania takes over the presidency of the EU Council. We will carry on with the major progress registered in the field of the judiciary and we will make sure justice in Romania is fair and independent, the Romanian Prime Minister also said.

The IMF improves its forecast regarding Romanian economy in 2017

The IMF has revised upwards, from 3.8% to 4.2%, its forecasts regarding the Romanian economy this year, according to the latest economic outlook report made public ahead of its spring meeting. According to the IMF, in 2017 Romania will have the second-highest growth rate in Europe, after Iceland (5.7%). Next year, Romania is expected to record a growth rate of 3.4%. As regards world economy, the IMF estimates a good growth rate next year as well. Acceleration will be largely felt both in the developed and in the emerging economies, but also in the weaker ones, in particular in the manufacturing and trading sectors.

Romania strengthens its defense sector

Romania plans to buy Patriot missile systems and HIMARS rocket launchers, the Romanian Army Chief of Staff Nicolae Ciuca has announced. The Defense Ministry has already sent an application to the US government, given that both systems are manufactured by US companies. Procurement procedures are scheduled to start this year. The Romanian Chief of Staff has stated that the Patriot system fits Romanias integrated multi-level air defense system. General Ciuca made the statement at the Smardan shooting range in Galati County, south-eastern Romania, which on Thursday hosted a tactical shooting drill, with real ammunition. 350 Romanian and US soldiers participated in the drill. Here is the Army Chief of Staff Nicolae Ciuca speaking of the importance of the drill:

Nicolae Ciuca: “This is a drill that helps increase the level of interoperability and reach the joint standards of our armies. Also, it is part of a process under which the Romanian army is consolidating its status as member of NATO and of the EU. The US soldiers are in Romania as part of the operation Atlantic Resolve, aimed at strengthening NATOs eastern flank and deterring any potential act of aggression in the Black Sea area.

As of May 1st, Romanians will travel to Canada without visas

The Canadian embassy in Bucharest announced on Wednesday that the first stage in the process of lifting mandatory visas for Romanians traveling to Canada starts on May 1st. As of that date, the Romanian citizens who have had a visa in the past ten years or who have a visa to entry the USA, can apply for an electronic travel authorization, ETA, which replaces the visa and is valid for a period of five years. The provision only applies to those who travel by plane or transit a Canadian airport. People who want to enter Canada using other means of transport will still need visas. These requirements are to be waived in December, when the Canadian government intends to lift restrictions for all the Romanian citizens.

Bad weather hits Romania

Three quarters of Romanias territory has been under codes orange or yellow alert for snow or heavy rain, strong wind and low temperatures, which is quite unusual for this time of the year. Romanian weather experts have explained that the bad weather was triggered by a trans-Balkan cyclone, which is crossing Romania these days. Strong gusts of wind cut off electricity in dozens of villages in the east and south-east. Also, because of the blizzard, several national road sectors were closed in the east, but also in the south and centre, were local and county roads were also affected. The bad weather also affected the railways. Several trains were delayed by blizzard and strong winds. Also because of the wind, the Romanian ports on the Black Sea were temporarily closed and several international flights were cancelled.

(translated by: Mihaela Ignatescu)

22 April 2017
European monitoring on the Romanian judiciary

While on a one-day visit to Bucharest, the first vice-president of the European Commission Frans Timmermans spoke about the challenges of the present, about Russias position, about migration and terrorism as well as the most recent changes in the Romanian judiciary. The Romanian judicial system has become a model for other EU member countries, and this is something the citizens of Romania should be proud of, the EU official said, and added that Romanias progress in this respect is unbelievable. Every country has its share and forms of corruption, and Romania is now taking the last steps in a marathon whose ultimate goal is to make the rule of law an irreversible concept, Timmermans also said.

In a joint press conference with the PM of Romania Sorin Grindeanu, the EU official said the lifting of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism that Romania has been subject to since it joined the EU 10 years ago, depends on the country fulfilling the recommendations made by the European Commission. Timmermans also voiced his hope that the Romanian people will closely monitor the fight against corruption.

Timmermans also added that Romania is a very important partner for the EU, as one of the leading member countries in terms of border security, and said that, in his opinion, member states ought to make a decision with respect to Romanias Schengen accession, an opinion which was expressed on several previous occasions by representatives of the European Commission.

Romanias Schengen accession is closely tied to the completion of the CVM process, and PM Grindeanu said he wanted a positive final report on the judiciary, so that the Mechanism may be lifted before Bucharest takes over the presidency of the EU Council, in January 2019.

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

21 April 2017
April 20, 2017 UPDATE

VISIT — Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu on Thursday said his objective is to lift the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism in the field of the judiciary before Romania takes over the rotating presidency of the European Council in 2019. This means Romania should get a final positive report, Sorin Grindeanu said, adding that the Government will continue to guarantee the fairness and independence of the judiciary. The declaration was made during his meeting with European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans, who is on an official visit to Bucharest. The EU official said each citizen deserves to live in a rule of law, and that good results have been obtained under the CVM. According to Frans Timmermans, right now Bucharest is at the end of a very long marathon, and it needs to observe the recommendations of the European Commission regarding its justice system.

ECONOMIC FIGURES— Romanian Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu on Thursday announced Romania reported a budget surplus of 360 million euros, accounting for 0.2% of the GDP, in the first three months of the year. The Prime Minister said the VAT collection rate went up by 2.5% in February as compared to the same month last year, and by 8.9% in March as compared to the same period in 2016. Sorin Grindeanu said a total of 62,000 new jobs were made available in the first quarter of the year.

COOPERATION — Austria and Romania will cooperate to have successful mandates at the helm of the European Council in the second half of 2018 and the first half of 2019 respectively, the Minister Delegate for European Affairs Ana Birchall said on Thursday. According to a Foreign Ministry press release, Ana Birchall met with Austrian Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, Sebastian Kurz, during her official visit to Vienna. Talks focused on hot topics on the European agenda and of mutual interest to both states, with a focus on furthering cooperation in the field of European affairs. The Danube Strategy, the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership were also on the agenda of the meeting.

MILITARY — Chief of General Staff General Nicolae Ciuca on Thursday said Romania will be purchasing US Patriot missiles, as part of a national program to purchase military equipment. Patriot is an advanced ground to air missile that can target fighter jets. The announcement was made at a press conference in Smardan, eastern Romania, currently hosting a joint US-Romanian military exercise. Taking part were Romanian officials from the government and the armed forces as well as representatives of the US Embassy.

ALARMS — Romania continues its widest ranging exercise to test alarm system at a national level. Emergency sirens were tested between 10 AM and 3 PM in 11 counties and Bucharest. The sirens are supposed to announce chemical accidents, air attacks, or severe flooding, and can be heard on a radius of around 500 meters. 7,700 such sirens are distributed around the country for civil protection. The exercise, concluding Friday, is supposed to measure speed of reaction in case of emergency, as well as coverage of alarms, in addition to response measure awareness.

MEETING — European Parliament President Antonio Tajani said his meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday was positive, underlining the mutual interest of observing the rights of EU citizens after Brexit. President Tajani said they agreed on the need to solve the issue of the rights of EU citizens living in Great Britain, as well as of Brits living in other EU states. In turn, a British Government spokesman said May and Tajani agreed on the need to maintain close ties between London and Brussels after Brexit and to offer ‘security’ to EU citizens as regards their legal status after Brexit.

GYMNASTICS — Romanian athlete Marian Dragulescu qualified to the floor event finals and the vault finals in the European Gymnastics Championships. The event is hosted by the Romanian city of Cluj, which wraps up on April 23. This edition is attended by 274 athletes from 37 countries. Romanian gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci is ambassador for the European Championships. The last edition of this event hosted by Romania took place in 1957.

TENNIS — Romanias womens tennis team plays at home this weekend, taking on the UKs team, in a bid to hold on to their place in the world group in the Fed Cup. The games are scheduled for April 22 and 23, in the resort of Mamaia, on the Black Sea coast. Romanias team is made up of Simona Halep, 5th ranked, Irina Begu, 33rd ranked, Monica Niculescu, 47th WTA, and Sorana Cirstea, 61st WTA. The UK brings into play two top 100 players, Johanna Konta, 10th ranked, and Heather Watson, 72nd ranked. Romania and the UK have faced off five times so far in the Fed Cup, with the Romanians winning four times.

WEATHER — Bad weather will continue to afflict Romania over the next couple of days. Rain, snow, gales and low temperatures have caused the authorities to extend a code yellow until Friday at noon, taking into consideration the snow in the mountains as well. A code orange alert is in place until noon on Friday in the eastern and southern Carpathians as well, with wind expected to reach speeds of up to 80 to 90 km/h. The worsening of the weather has affected road traffic. Several flights have been delayed by the weather on Cluj International Airport. A few localities in the north and southeast were left without power. Bad weather is affecting several countries in Europe as well, with closed highways in Austria, strong wind in Italy and heavy snowfalls in eastern Ukraine. The Czech Republic, Poland, Serbia and Hungary are also hit by a wave of bad weather.

20 April 2017
March 7, 2017

STATISTICS — Romanias GDP in 2016 went up 4.8% against 2015, according to preliminary data published by the National Institute of Statistics. The estimated GDP for 2016 was over 759 billion lei, approximately 169 billion Euro, as compared to 160 billion in 2015. All branches of the economy contributed to the growth in 2016, except for agriculture and construction, which stagnated. The economy was principally driven by consumption. For 2017, the European Commission estimates growth to be 4.4%, with a slowdown to 3.7% in 2018. The IMF expects the GDP in 2017 to be 3.8%, the highest rate of growth expected in Europe. This years national budget is based on an expected growth of 5.2% of the GDP.

REVIEW — Romanias General Prosecutor, Augustin Lazar, presented the general review of activity for last year, declaring that 2016 was a year with considerable results in judicial activity, considering the legislative instability in the country. In his opinion, the Public Ministry fulfilled its important mission in the institutional architecture of the rule of law. The General Prosecutor said that the institutional approach of his office is based on the National Defense Strategy for 2015-2019, as well as the National Anti-corruption Strategy and the National Strategy for the Reform of the Judiciary 2015-2020. For this year, he said, priorities will be mainly fighting corruption and tax evasion, fighting against environmental violations, especially in forestry, as well as violations regarding the national heritage. The event was attended by President Klaus Iohannis, who said Romania has made significant progress in terms of the justice system, but that it still awaits the final results of investigations into the 1989 Revolution and the miners raids of the early 1990s.

POLICE — In Bucharest today, police union representatives hold a new round of discussions regarding the Unitary Salary Law, attended by Interior Minister Carmen Dan, and Finance Minister Viorel Stefan. Yesterday, police unions negotiated the law with Labor Minister Lia Olguta Vasilescu, but said they did not reach a conclusion, announcing protests for mid-March. Their main complaint is that incentives are not calculated based on the present minimum wage of around 320 Euro, but on the minimum wage as it stood in December. Interior Minister Vasilescu said that the Unitary Salary Law will be ready in July, as provided by the government platform.

COUNCIL — Romanian Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Ana Birchall, takes part today in Brussels in the meeting of the General Affairs Council. Under discussion is the draft conclusion of the council regarding the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism report, which acknowledges the major progress made by Romania, and emphasizes support for the Romanian authorities in meeting the demands of the mechanism. The meeting in Brussels is in preparation for the European Council agenda scheduled for March 8 and 9. The ministers will analyze a draft recommendation on Eurozone economic policies supporting economic growth, and will focus on reaching an accord on a European banking insurance system. Another point on the agenda is the update provided by the Maltese presidency of the Council on applying the inter-institutional accord for better legislation, passed in March last year. This accord is supposed to make the EU legislative process easier to monitor and more transparent.

TENNIS — Several Romanian women tennis players are present at the Premier Mandatory tournament in Indian Wells in the US, with 6.9 million USD in prize money. Patricia Țig, 99th seeded, went to the final qualifiers by defeating Japanese player Shuko Aoyama, 212th seeded, 6-0, 6-2. Țig plays next American Julia Boserup, 97th seeded. Ana Bogdan, ranked 124th, was eliminated by Japanese player Nao Hibino, ranked 81st, 6-4, 2-6, 6-7. Sorana Carstea, 66th seeded, and Monica Niculescu, 45th seeded, plays against each other in the inaugural round, while Simona Halep, 4th in the world, and Irina Begu, ranked 32nd, play in the second round, with adversaries yet to be established.

FOOTBALL — In Romania, the premiere football league regular season is over, with the play-offs and play-outs starting on March 10. The top six teams will contend for the title, while the last eight will have to fight to stay in the league. Viitorul, Steaua, standing champions Astra, Craiova, CFR Cluj and Dinamo are in the play-offs. Gaz Metan Medias, FC Botosani, FC Voluntari, CSM Poli Iasi, Concordia Chiajna, Pandurii Tg. Jiu, ACS Poli Timisoara and ASA Tg. Mures remain in the play-outs.

7 March 2017
Nachrichten 06.03.2017

Vertreter des Arbeitsministeriums haben sich am Montag mit den Gewerkschaften zu Verhandlungen über das Gesetz der einheitlichen Entlohnung getroffen. Gewerkschaftsführer der Polizei erklärten, sie seien nicht zufrieden über den Ausgang der Gespräche und drohten mit einer Protestaktion. Die insgesamt 80.000 Polizeibeamten, die aus den Finanzmitteln des Innenministeriums entlohnt werden, würden nicht einmal den Mindestlohn von circa 320 Euro erhalten. Arbeitsministerin Lia Olguţa Vasilescu präzisierte, dass die Rechtsnorm in Juli fertiggestellt werden soll, wie es im Regierungsprogramm des Kabinetts der Sozial-Demokratischen Partei und der Allianz der Liberalen und Demokraten vorgesehen ist. Sie hatte neulich erklärt, dass die Gehälter unter 4.000 Lei (umgerechnet rund 900 Euro) bis 2020 verdoppelt und diejenigen über dieser Schwelle um 45% angehoben werden sollen. Vasilescu sagte außerdem, dass der Rentenpunkt beginnend mit dem 1. Juli auf 1.000 Lei (umgerechnet 225 Euro) steigen wird.

Rumänien hat eine historische Gelegenheit, in den Prozess zur Wiederankurbelung der vom Brexit und nationalistischen Bewegungen geplagten Europäischen Union einbezogen zu werden. Dies erklärte am Montag die EU-Kommissarin für Regionalpolitik Corina Creţu für Radio Rumänien. Die Bukarester Behörden seien gut beraten zu handeln, damit Rumänien an dem von Kommissionspräsident Jean Claude Juncker angekündigten Reformprozess beteiligt werde, lautete ihre Empfehlung. Juncker hatte den Reformprozess in seiner Ansprache zu den fünf möglichen Zukunftsszenarien der Union nach dem Brexit erwähnt. Rumänien widersetzt sich dem Szenario, das ein Europa mit mehreren Geschwindigkeiten vorsieht. In einem Interview mit mehreren europäischen Zeitungen hatte Frankreichs Präsident François Hollande behauptet, dass der Gedanke der Union mit unterschiedlichen Entwicklungsrhythmen über die Jahre für Widerstand gesorgt hat. Allerdings sei dieser Gedanke zurzeit angemessen.

Europaministerin Ana Birchall beteiligt sich am Dienstag am Treffen des Rates für Allgemeine Angelegenheiten in Brüssel. Dabei soll ein offizielles Dokument des Rates mit den Schlussfolgerungen zum Fortschrittsbericht des Kooperations- und Überprüfungsmechanismus (CVM) veröffentlicht werden. In dem Bericht werden Rumänien beachtliche Fortschritte auf dem Weg zur Erreichung der CVM-Ziele im Justizbereich eingeräumt. Der Rat für Allgemeine Angelegenheiten soll die letzten Vorbereitungen auf den Gipfel des Europäischen Rates der Staats- und Regierungschefs am 9 und 10. März treffen.

Im Skandal um die verdünnten Desinfektionsmittel in Rumäniens Krankenhäuser ist der Hersteller Hexi Pharma von den Staatsanwälten des Obersten Gerichtshofes angeklagt worden. Die Anklage lautet auf Betrug, Verwendung von Falschurkunden und Behinderung medizinischer Handlungen. In dem Strafverfahren war ferner gegen den Generaldirektor des Unternehmens, Florin Dinu, sowie den Produktionsleiter Mihai Leva, wegen Urkundenfälschung und Behinderung medizinischer Handlungen ermittelt worden. Hexi Pharma-Besitzer Dan Condrea war kurze Zeit nach Ausbruch des größten Skandals in der Geschichte des rumänischen Gesundheitswesens 2016 nach einem Autounfall gestorben.

Ilinca und Alex Florea werden Rumänien beim Eurovision Song Contest 2017 mit dem Lied Yodel It“ vertreten. Sie gewannen am Sonntagabend die nationale Vorentscheidung. Die 62. Auflage des bekannten und beliebten Musikwettbewerbs wird in Kiew stattfinden, mit den geplanten Halbfinalen am 9. und 11. Mai und dem Finale am 13. Mai. Rumänien wird im zweiten Halbfinale antreten. Dieses Jahr wird auch eine andere Rumänin bei der Eurovision antreten. Miruna Mănescu vertritt die Schweiz mit dem Lied Apollo“. Rumänien beteiligt sich am besagten Wettbewerb seit 1993. Seine besten Leistungen waren zwei Mal der dritte und einmal der vierte Platz.

6 March 2017
February 19, 2017 UPDATE

DIPLOMACY – Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu reiterated Romanias support for increasing the role of the EU in the field of defence, in line with NATO requirements. Attending the NATO Security Conference in Munich, Melescanu underlined the importance of consolidating the EU as a viable and influential global actor, outlining Romanias contribution to securing Euro-Atlantic and global security. On the sidelines of the conference, the Romanian Foreign Minister met with NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, who congratulated and thanked Romanian authorities for allotting 2% of the countrys GDP to defence. Melescanu also had talks with his Georgian and Azeri counterparts, with the Secretary General of the League of Arab Nations, as well as with other high-ranking officials attending the conference.

EMERGENCY DECREE – The Chamber of Deputies is still debating the emergency decree on the withdrawal of the controversial decree by means of which the Government attempted to amend criminal legislation. According to the head of the Chambers judicial committee, which is the decision-making body in this case, adopting the former would make null the latter. Aimed at partially decriminalising abuse of office, the decree has been the target of mass street protests since its adoption on January 31.

CVM – Romanian Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu announced he would send a letter of enquiry to the European Commission next week regarding the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, so that the Government can take the necessary measures. Grindeanu told Realitatea television station that he wants the mechanism to be lifted in the shortest time possible. The Prime Minister recalled that, during his meeting with European Commission president, Jean-Claude Junker held on Friday, the latter insisted that Romania should no longer be monitored under the CVM by the end of his term in office. In his talks with high-ranking European Commission officials, Prime Minister Grindeanu gave assurances that the Government in Bucharest remains committed to fighting corruption.

ECONOMY – Romania reported a 292 million euro deficit in trading foodstuffs in the first 11 months of 2016, given that, over the similar period of 2015, our country reported a surplus of over 65 million euros, according to data released by the Agriculture Ministry. Exports stood at 5,4 billion euros, up by 2.7% as against the same period of 2016, while imports exceeded 5,7 billion euros, by 9.6% more than the period under scrutiny. The EU was Romanias main trade partner in terms of exports and imports of foodstuffs, with deliveries accounting for over 54% of total exports, while EU purchases accounted for some 74% of total imports.

BRANCUSI – Romanian embassies, consular offices and cultural institutes abroad on Sunday marked the Brancusi Day, devoted to the great Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi. Considered the “father of modern sculpture, Constantin Brancusi was born on February 19, 1876 in Hobita, Gorj County, southern Romania. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, 2017 bears a triple significance for promoting Brancusi and his works. March 16 will mark 60 years since the death of Brancusi. Also, in 2018, the year Romania celebrates 100 years since its Great Unification, our country will also celebrate 80 years since the great sculptor accomplished his greatest monument ensemble, “The Heroes Path in Targu Jiu, an homage to the Romanian soldiers who gave their lives for people and country in the Great War. Also this year on June 15 we mark 40 years since the inauguration of the “Brancusi Workshop in 1977 at the Pompidou Cultural Centre in Paris.

FILM – Romanian image editor Dana Bunescu on Saturday scooped the Silver Bear award for editing at the 67th edition of the International Berlin Film Festival, for the feature film Ana, mon amour, directed by Calin Peter Netzer. The feature was selected in the main competition for the Golden Bear, which this year went to Hungarian filmmaker Ildko Enyedis feature On Body and Soul. We recall that Calin Peter Netzer won the Golden Bear in 2013 with his feature Childs Pose.

CARNIVAL OF VENICE – This year as well Romania is represented in the main program at the Venice Carnival. Romanian traditional costumes were presented on Sunday at the official parade opening the Carnival, while alphorn players from Campeni, Alba County, performed on stage in San Marco Square. On Saturday, the “Zestrea exhibition of Romanian traditional costumes designed by Liliana Turoiu was opened and can be visited until February 28. (Translated by V. Palcu)

19 February 2017
February 19, 2017

DIPLOMACY — Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu reiterated Romania’s support for increasing the role of the EU in the field of defence, in line with NATO requirements. Attending the NATO Security Conference in Munich, Melescanu underlined the importance of consolidating the EU as a viable and influential global actor, outlining Romania’s contribution to securing Euro-Atlantic and global security. On the sidelines of the conference, the Romanian Foreign Minister met with NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, who congratulated and thanked Romanian authorities for allotting 2% of the country’s GDP to defence. Melescanu also had talks with his Georgian and Azeri counterparts, with the Secretary General of the League of Arab Nations, as well as with other high-ranking officials attending the conference.

EMERGENCY DECREE — The Chamber of Deputies is still debating the emergency decree on the withdrawal of the controversial decree by means of which the Government attempted to amend criminal legislation. According to the head of the Chamber’s judicial committee, which is the decision-making body in this case, adopting the former would make null the latter. Aimed at partially decriminalising abuse of office, the decree has been the target of mass street protests since its adoption on January 31.

CVM — Romanian Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu announced he would send a letter of enquiry to the European Commission next week regarding the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, so that the Government can take the necessary measures. Grindeanu told Realitatea television station that he wants the mechanism to be lifted in the shortest time possible. The Prime Minister recalled that, during his meeting with European Commission president, Jean-Claude Junker held on Friday, the latter insisted that Romania should no longer be monitored under the CVM by the end of his term in office. In his talks with high-ranking European Commission officials, Prime Minister Grindeanu gave assurances that the Government in Bucharest remains committed to fighting corruption.

ECONOMY — Romania reported a 292 million euro deficit in trading foodstuffs in the first 11 months of 2016, given that, over the similar period of 2015, our country reported a surplus of over 65 million euros, according to data released by the Agriculture Ministry. Exports stood at 5,4 billion euros, up by 2.7% as against the same period of 2016, while imports exceeded 5,7 billion euros, by 9.6% more than the period under scrutiny. The EU was Romania’s main trade partner in terms of exports and imports of foodstuffs, with deliveries accounting for over 54% of total exports, while EU purchases accounted for some 74% of total imports.

BRANCUSI — Romanian embassies, consular offices and cultural institutes abroad on Sunday marked the Brancusi Day, devoted to the great Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi. Considered the “father of modern sculpture”, Constantin Brancusi was born on February 19, 1876 in Hobita, Gorj County, southern Romania. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, 2017 bears a triple significance for promoting Brancusi and his works. March 16 will mark 60 years since the death of Brancusi. Also, in 2018, the year Romania celebrates 100 years since its Great Unification, our country will also celebrate 80 years since the great sculptor accomplished his greatest monument ensemble, “The Heroes’ Path” in Targu Jiu, an homage to the Romanian soldiers who gave their lives for people and country in the Great War. Also this year on June 15 we mark 40 years since the inauguration of the “Brancusi Workshop” in 1977 at the Pompidou Cultural Centre in Paris.

FILM — Romanian image editor Dana Bunescu on Saturday scooped the Silver Bear award for editing at the 67th edition of the International Berlin Film Festival, for the feature film Ana, mon amour, directed by Calin Peter Netzer. The feature was selected in the main competition for the Golden Bear, which this year went to Hungarian filmmaker Ildko Enyedi’s feature On Body and Soul. We recall that Calin Peter Netzer won the Golden Bear in 2013 with his feature Child’s Pose.

CARNIVAL OF VENICE — This year as well Romania is represented in the main program at the Venice Carnival. Romanian traditional costumes were presented on Sunday at the official parade opening the Carnival, while alphorn players from Campeni, Alba County, performed on stage in San Marco Square. On Saturday, the “Zestrea” exhibition of Romanian traditional costumes designed by Liliana Turoiu was opened and can be visited until February 28. (Translated by V. Palcu)

19 February 2017
European Commission Support for Romania

On Monday the Romanian Foreign Minister, Teodor Meleşcanu, participated, in Brussels, in the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting. On the sidelines of this meeting Minister Meleşcanu tried to explain the situation in Bucharest and the EU officials responded promptly. The European Commission believes that Romania needs to make progress in the anti-corruption fight and not to cancel the results obtained so far, the First Vice-President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans told Meleşcanu against the backdrop of the acute tension caused by the attempt of the Government made up of the Social Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats to amend the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes through an emergency government decree.

Initiated under the pretext that the current Codes should be harmonized with the Constitutional Court rulings but perceived as a way to shield top politicians and officials from the central and local administration from being prosecuted for corruption, the decree, which was eventually withdrawn, prompted hundreds of thousands of angry Romanians to take to the streets and caused consternation in Brussels. Following his meeting with Frans Timmermans and the European foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, minister Meleşcanu told Radio Romania:

“There are two conclusions drawn after these talks. Firstly, the European officials expressed appreciation for the government’s decision to repeal the decree that sparked the protests. The European officials both agreed that such amendments should be transparent and discussed in a larger context, prior to reaching Parliament. Secondly, the European Commission showed availability to support Romania in finding the best solutions to keep Romania on the path of democracy”.

Minister Meleşcanu also said that the European Commission was willing to help Romania build new prisons. When asked whether the European officials were concerned with Romania’s vulnerability in the aftermath of the political crisis, minister Meleşcanu answered:

“On the contrary, they had a positive approach, and showed availability to cooperate with Romania so that it should consolidate its present status, which is important not only for our region but also for the EU as a whole.”

The spokesperson for the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, pointed out that Brussels was ready to provide Romania with expertise in order to finalize the targets included in the Mechanism for Cooperation and Verification in the field of the judiciary. The mechanism was set up upon Romania’s joining the EU and it has been maintained all these years because the Romanian officials did not seem to persuade the EU of their official commitment to combating corruption.

(Translated by L. Simion)

7 February 2017
Rückschläge in Justizreform: War das Kooperations- und Kontrollverfahren umsonst?

Das bestätigt auch der letzte Justizfortschrittsbericht der EU-Kommission, der am 25. Januar veröffentlicht wurde. Die EU-Kommission verfolgt seit 10 Jahren durch das sogenannte Koooperations- und Kontrollverfahren (engl. Cooperation and Verification Mechanism — CVM) die Reform in der Justiz und die Fortschritte im Kampf gegen die Korruption in Rumänien. Der diesjährige Bericht erkennt die gro‎ßen Fortschritte, die in den letzten Jahren in Schlüsselbereichen gemacht wurden, zugleich aber hat die EU-Kommission auf den Monitoring-Prozess nicht verzichtet. Die Politik müsse sich in erster Reihe bemühen, eine effiziente Justiz zu sichern, so der besagte Bericht, der am 25. Januar veröffentlicht wurde.

Die EU-Kommission empfiehlt die Implementierung eines robusten und unabhängigen Systems zur Ernennung der hochrangigen Staatsanwälte sowie klare Verhaltensregeln für Parlamentarier und für den gegenseitigen Respekt unter den Institutionen. Die Parlamentarier müssen auch die Unabhängigkeit des Justizsystems einhalten, so der Justizfortschrittsbericht.

Wie würde aber dieser Bericht heute ausschauen? Nicht einmal eine Woche nach der Veröffentlichung des Dokuments hat die neue rumänische Regierung trotz der Stra‎ßenproteste die umstrittene Eilverodnung zur Abänderung des Strafgesetzbuches und der Strafprozessordnung erlassen. Die Änderung bringt eine Neuregelung im Fall von Amtsmissbrauch. Dieser wird mit Gefägnis nur noch dann bestraft, wenn der entstandene Schaden bei höher als 200.000 Lei (umgerechnet 44.000) Euro liegt. Die Begünstigung des Täters, einschlie‎ßlich durch die Billigung von Rechtsnormen wie etwa die Ma‎ßnahme, über Nacht Eilerlässe zu verabschieden, wurde entkriminalisiert. Die Eilverordnung besagt au‎ßerdem, dass die Begünstigung des Täters entkriminalisiert wird, falls die Tat von einem Familienmitglied oder einem Verschwägerten bis 2. Grades begangen wird. Auch auf die Begnadigung hat das Kabinett von Premier Sorin Grindeanu nicht verzichtet. Der Gesetzentwurf soll dem Parlament vorgelegt werden.

Rumäniens Justizminister Florin Iordache begründete die Entscheidung mit der Überbevölkerung der Strafvollzugsanstalten, auf die auch der Europäische Gerichtshof für Menschenrechte aufmerksam gemacht hatte. In einem Interview mit Radio Rumänien erklärte die Vorsitzende des Thinktanks Expert Forum, Laura Ştefan, gleich nach der Veröffentlichung des EU-Justizfortschrittsberichts, aber noch vor der Billigung der Eilverordnungen, dass diese sehr gefährlich seien:

Es könnte sein, dass man die Leistung Rumäniens der den letzten zehn Jahre wieder bewertet. Wenn man diejenigen auf freien Fu‎ß setzt, die in den letzten zehn Jahren eingesperrt wurden, ist es logisch, dass die positiven Bewertungen negativ werden. Darüber hinaus ist es gravierend, dass die EU-Kommission erst jetzt erkannt hat, dass in Rumänien die alten Arbeitsweisen, von heute auf morgen gefährliche Gesetze zu erlassen, immer noch als politisches Instrument eingesetzt werden. Die EU-Kommission hat diese Arbeitsweise auch im Falle des sogenannten schwarzen Dienstags vor ein paar Jahren [als die damalige Parlamentsmehrheit versuchte, die Abgeordneten unter einer Art Superimmunität zu stellen, die sie vor Strafverfolgung hätte schützen sollen — Anm. D. Red.] und auch andere Male, als von heute auf morgen zentrale Punkte des Strafgesetzbuches geändert wurden, erkannt. Deshalb besteht die EU-Kommission auf ein erwachsenes politisches Handeln. Und leider sehen wir, dass das auch im Jahr 2017 ein Problem darstellt.“

Inwieweit können die Zivilgesellschaft und jeder Bürger Rumäniens zum Fortschritt des Justizsystems beitragen? Laura Ştefan erlöutert weiter:

Rumänien wird nur dann ein erwachsenes Land sein und den Koooperations- und Prüfmechanismus wird man nur dann auflösen können, wenn die Zivilgesellschaft und die Politik lernen werden, miteinander zu diskutieren. Leider sehen wir dieser Tage, dass die Politik nicht allzu sehr bereit ist, zu diskutieren. Wenn wir über ein solch sensibles Thema wie die Überbevölkerung der Strafvollzugsanstalten diskutieren, braucht man alle Köpfe, um eine Lösung zu finden.“

Die Oppositionsparteien, die Zivilgesellschaft und die Organisationen der Richter und Staatsanwälte sind der Ansicht, dass die Änderungen das Ziel verfolgen, einflussreiche Personen aus der Politik und der Verwaltung von Haftstrafen zu befreien. Staatschef Klaus Iohannis bezeichnete den Tag der Genehmigung der Eilverordnungen als Trauertag für den Rechtsstaat in Rumänien.

3 February 2017