A member of NATO, involved in field operations in the Balkans, Afghanistan and Irak and a strategic partner of Washington, playing host to numerous US economic investments and military systems, Romania is one of Europe\u2019s most pro-American countries. For this reason any visit by a US official or diplomat is traditionally given substantial importance.<\/p>\n
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Last week, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs at the United States Department of State Victoria Nuland paid a two-day visit to Romania. Victoria Nuland is on a European tour that includes such countries as Germany, France, the Netherlands and Lithuania, namely important allies of the United States. Displaying great warmth and straightforwardness, the US official expressed her country\u2019s concern towards Romania\u2019s compliance with the rule of law. According to political pundits, Nuland has criticized a perceived temptation of the current parliamentary majority in Bucharest to encroach on the freedom of the press, to limit the prerogatives of the judiciary and to create a kind of super-immunity for politicians.<\/p>\n
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Victoria Nuland said that \u201cjust as free media is an essential element of a strong, vibrant democracy that delivers for its citizens, an independent judiciary is essential to a strong, predictable democracy and the checks and balances within government are essential to a strong democracy. So it is concerning when there are attacks on the independence of the judiciary.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n
Aside from high-ranking officials such as President Traian Basescu, Victoria Nuland also discussed with National Anti-corruption Directorate chief Laura Codruta Kovesi, tackling several issues in the Romanian judiciary. In turn, the Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean reassured the press of the Government\u2019s commitment towards democratic values:<\/p>\n
Titus Corlatean: \u201cWe have cleared the air on a number of issues, which confirms the Government\u2019s support for consolidating the rule of law. Any European democracy may encounter certain difficulties, it\u2019s only natural. Parliament has its own say, but that doesn\u2019t mean that whatever Parliament decides the Government must support<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n
Titus Corlatean went on to say that beyond the issue of the rule of law, his talks with the US official focused on the major points of bilateral cooperation, from Romania\u2019s strategic partnership with the United States to Romanian-US economic relations.<\/p>\n
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