EU grows more demanding

The European Commission's report on the progress Romania has made in 6 months of EU membership doesn't mention the application of the safeguard clause, but EU authorities advise Romanian officials to draw an action plan with well-defined stages by October, in order to make the necessary reform accomplishments.
The report released yesterday includes some critique of the evolution in the Romanian Justice reform, but it does not recommend the activation of safeguard clauses. It only mentions the monitoring will go on. And Romanian Justice continues to be under Brussels watch and it is supposed to proceed to clear measures.
Practice is flawed
Apart from expressing appreciation for the progress of Romanian Justice, the European Commission explains that specific objectives are to be considered together, as parts of an ample reform of the judicial system needing long term political will. There are demanded ampler proves that theory is put to work so that the changes will prove irreversible. The Romanian government is described as committed to the Justice reform and to the elimination of corruption from the system. The European Commission estimates that Romanian authorities are well meaning and determined and they elaborated legislative projects, action plans and the necessary programmes. Still, there is added, Romania can pass the exam only if showing determination to carry out the measures each and every day. The document points to the flawed transformation of intentions into results.
Romania's intensifying efforts to fight against corruption enjoy appreciation, but there is added that a lot of things still need to be done, as the progress made is still not enough. (...)
The document emphasizes that the needed structural changes effect on society as a whole and call for progress that means more than the mere accomplishing of specific missions. Romania is supposed to prove constant determination and it will succeed if it shows respect for the strict separation of the powers, political will and a stable world of politics.
Justice staff problems
After a strict evaluation of Justice staff problems, the European Commission has concluded that more efforts are needed to complete the staff structure. There is estimated that the reform in the field hasn't been complete. EU officials say that the existing juridical guarantees on the mandates of judges and prosecutors are making the use of a staff policy based on needs more difficult.
The report mentions concern about the quality of the staff recently recruited for the Romanian Justice system and warns that magistrates recruited on a lower standard level may prove hard to eliminate, although unable to meet Justice system requirements. (...)

George Damian
Ziua Joi 28 Iunie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english