The US and Romania
The US vice-president Joe Biden visited Romania
Bogdan Matei, 22.05.2014, 14:04
Amid the developments in Ukraine, US vice-president Joe Biden conveyed his country’s message of solidarity to the people of Romania during a visit to Bucharest this week. Biden said the US had an obligation to stand by Romania and NATO and announced the increase in the number of US troops in the region in the face of Russia’s newly found appetite for territorial expansion. The US vice-president implied, however, that internal enemies are just as dangerous as external ones.
The most cherished NATO value is a transparent society, where corruption is seen as the enemy, where its government is fair and honest and the people are treated with respect. The fight against corruption and the consolidation of the rule of law are key elements, said Biden, for the future development of the country and the guarantee of national sovereignty. A corrupt political class, on the other hand, makes the state vulnerable, even in the face of foreign aggression, as was the case with Ukraine. Joe Biden also highlights the role of civil society in fighting corruption.
He said: “Many of you, inside government and out, have been working to root out corruption for years. And I applaud you all for your efforts. With your help, Romania has taken significant strikes in fighting corruption. Your National Anti-Corruption Agency has firmly established its independence and sent 1,000 cases to court just since last year. Your National Integrity Agency sent forward 6,000 cases of incompatibility — people holding office that should be mutually exclusive — and 50 cases of elected officials with unjustified assets. Of course there’s work to do to see these cases through, but it’s a significant start. It’s no wonder that your anti-corruption institutions are the most highly rated institutions in Romania in the minds of the Romanian people.”
The US vice-president also added: “ (…) corruption is a complex and difficult problem to solve in all countries, but it can be solved. I strongly urge you to keep taking steps forward and keep resisting the instinct to step back. Keep demanding that your judicial institutions remain free from political influence; keep insisting that no one — no one — no one is above the law.”
During his talks with Joe Biden, president Traian Basescu, who sees himself as a safeguard for the independence of the National Anticorruption Directorate and the National Integrity Agency, reiterated his commitment to fight against corruption. Prime Minister Victor Ponta also said his cabinet supports a strong and independent legal system and that whoever breaks the law must account for it, regardless of his or her position. Time alone will show how committed Romanian politicians are to their promises, all the more so as this is an election year, with elections for the European Parliament on Sunday and presidential elections in autumn.
