Radio România Internațional

Tag: reforming the judiciary

  • EU Commissioner for Justice visits Bucharest

    EU Commissioner for Justice visits Bucharest

    Upon meeting with Romanian Justice Minister Raluca Pruna, the EU Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Vera Jourova, said Bucharest continued efforts to reform its judiciary and had committed to observing the recommendations the European Commission had included in its latest report on Romania under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism. The two officials pointed out that reforms in the justice system must continue.



    Referring to recovering losses incurred by crime, Vera Jourova spoke of promoting the European Prosecutors Office, arguing that it was not about money, but about peoples trust. Millions of euros have been embezzled by means of corruption, and the people expect this money to be recovered, given that it is taxpayers money, Jourova went on to say. In turn, Romanian Justice Minister Raluca Pruna referred to the European agenda and the projects Romania is currently running.



    “Romania is a traditional advocate of instruments for promoting a consolidated area of justice, freedom and security. We have focused on projects related to the European Prosecutors Office. Romania stands for such an institution to be established, and it also supports other projects on the European agenda aimed at increasing security for European citizens, such as combating terrorism and money laundering.



    European Commissioner Vera Jourova said 2017 might see a decision with respect to lifting the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism for judicial reforms in Romania, or replacing the mechanism by another instrument for monitoring Romanias judiciary.


    (Translated by V. Palcu)

  • Romanian – US dialogue

    Romanian – US dialogue

    Romania has made significant headway in observing the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Victoria Nuland said in Bucharest where she held talks with Romanian president Klaus Iohannis and other high-ranking officials. Victoria Nuland said that more and more companies are interested in investing in Romania, particularly in IT, infrastructure and energy, but that depends on the countrys staying on its strong track of economic growth, rule of law, predictability and stability in improving corporate governance for state-owned enterprises and tax-rates more stable.



    During a meeting with the Romanian president, Mrs. Nuland said that the US is generally impressed by the activity of the National Anti-corruption Directorate. According to Victoria Nuland, in any democratic society it is very important to have a balance between security and protecting private life. Weve seen increased strength of the independence of the judiciary, more and more cases being made.



    Victoria Nuland said that the US sees Romania as a country with big potential as an energy-transit site that can play a vital role as a transit country to other parts of Central Europe that are more dependant on outside sources of energy. The US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs saluted Bucharests strong commitment to growing defense budget, procuring next generation equipment and supporting counter-ISIL efforts.



    In turn president Klaus Iohannis has underlined Romanias determination to meet its commitments as a NATO member, particularly against the background of the latest security challenges. During the meeting, the participants have highlighted the privileged character of the Romanian-American relations, reiterating the readiness of strengthening the US-Romanian Strategic Partnership on all dimensions.



    On the other hand Victoria Nuland said that Washington and Bucharest are working together in support of a democratic European Republic of Moldova, an ex-soviet state with a Romanian-speaking majority. The officials have also tackled the continuation of the European progress of the former soviet state as well as the refugee crisis and situation in the Western Balkans.