EU Commissioner for Justice visits Bucharest

EU Commissioner for Justice Vera Jourova met with Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos and Justice Minister Raluca Pruna in Bucharest.

România Internațional, 01.03.2016, 13:15

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)