The report monitoring Romania's progress with the Justice reform reached Radio France International two days before the official release due in June 27. According to the RFI information that Medifax Agency invokes, the European Commission thinks Romania has been making progress with Justice and the application of the safeguard clause is not recommended. The document mentions the progress the CSM (Superior Council of Magistracy) has been making as well as some concern about the efficiency of the newly established ANI (National Integrity Agency).
Progress made
The RFI claims in the report to be released tomorrow there is mentioned that in the first 6 months after accession Romania has been making progress to fix the weaknesses that could prevent the efficient use of European legislation and programmes. The document points there is need for much more time for Romania to prove that legislative progress means results in key areas. More care is also needed to handle all the adjacent measures so that there will be no tolerance as far as the fight against corruption is concerned. The document also reminds that, as decided, the European Commission is going to elaborate a report every 6 months and update it in the early 2008.
Doubt about the ANI's independence
According to the RFI Romania, the report has it that, generally speaking, Romania has been making some progress with the judiciary system reform. As for the making of the ANI, the European Commission mentions concern about the independence of this institution, supposed to work starting next October. The RFI claims the Commission's report points to doubt on the ANI's independence and efficiency in investigating and setting sanctions only partly settled by the amendments the government imposed by means of an emergency ordinance. The report warns that the governmental ordinance will be in force only until confirmed or changed by the Parliament. The conclusion is that Romania is to confirm the progress made by practical results.
Praise for DNA
According to the European Commission, the rigor in drawing criminal cases isn't reflected in court verdicts for the time being, as the country report describes the decision to appoint Daniel Morar to head the DNA (National Anti-Corruption Department) as having a negative impact on the fight against corruption. The document emphasizes that the information Bucharest authorities get on court sentences shows the sanctions are not dissuasive, just as it shows a very large number of suspended sanctions in high level corruption cases. There is demanded that it should be made clear. The RFI comments that such an aspect undermines the recent progress of investigations and harms the public perception of political commitment to fight against corruption.
And, the report adds, there are some recent events that may have negative impact on this fight: the changed status of bank fraud, the Parliament's intention to make criminal inquiries last less and the request that an important DNA official should be dismissed.
Lack of global strategy
The report reminds about precautionary measures in fields like health and education. And on the other hand there is highlighted the lack of a global strategy against corruption, based on an evaluation of risks concerning the most vulnerable areas of local administration. There is also mentioned the persisting concern about the political support for the continuation of important projects, such as the National Integrity Agency. But in general terms, the Commission estimates, progress has been made.
Geoge Damian
Ziua Marti 26 Iunie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english
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