Romania is the most corrupted EU state

According to the critical analysis by Reuters Agency, the outcome of the fight against corruption is at a standstill because of hesitating politicians, political confrontations and inefficient public administration.
The Reuters analysis is an ample account of the progress Romania and Bulgaria made after joining the EU in terms of commitments assigned before the accession. The report, 75% of it on Romania, includes severe conclusions.
Failed reforms
6 months after joining the EU, Romania and Bulgaria failed to prove credible progress with the fight against corruption and organized crime, despite the enlarged legislative reforms. The report mentions Brussels officials are concerned about it and some EU states say the two poor Balkan countries joined the EU too early. Both Romania and Bulgaria are under monitoring and they may be sanctioned after the European Commission releases report in June 27 and decide the two newcomers can't meet requirements on the fight against abuse.
Both states reformed the juridical system and passed laws establishing institutions to fight against corruption, in keeping with the EU demands. Still many foreign observers claim the outcome of it is at a standstill because of hesitating politicians, political confrontations and inefficient public administration. The diplomat of an EU state in Bucharest is claimed to have commented that he could never see the proof of results or the impact on society, although there should be evidence to show authorities' intention to fight corruption at all levels.
According to foreign observers, fraud is so deeply rooted in Romania and Bulgaria that very many local politicians don't want to implement efficient reforms. Judicial system members are often very close to criminal groups and the new laws lack mechanisms of application. And the disputes among the governing parties are one more problem, although both the Romanian and Bulgarian governments see their populations decreasing. There is estimated that reforms ceased completely the moment when the two states got EU membership.
As far as Romania is concerned, the ex Justice minister Monica Macovei is perceived as author of a complete renewal of the juridical system and there is mentioned that last April she was sacked as minister because of political arguments. Commentators opine that the present Justice minister, Tudor Chiuariu, is inefficient. Sorin Ionita, a member of the Romanian Academic Society, comments that what Romania's new Justice minister wants isn't clear yet. He adds the minister seems to be after setting limits to prosecutors' attributions.
The trial against Adrian Nastase makes no progress
Another example used is the trial against Romania's ex PM Adrian Nastase, at a standstill for several months now because of a Constitutional Court dispute. The trial is seen as a test for the ability of the reformed Justice system to handle high level fraud cases. (...)
Bucharest still needs an efficient agency to monitor politicians' personal properties, an institution Brussels officials believe to be crucial for the elimination of abuses. The report mentions that the Romanian Parliament initially restrained this institution's power and the MPs are now to pass an improved version on the respective law draft. According to Transparency International, Romania is the most corrupted EU state because of failing public policies used to fight and prevent corruption in public administration. (...)

George Damian
Ziua Sambata 23 Iunie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english