European monitoring on the Romanian judiciary

The vice-president of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, was on an official visit to Bucharest

Corina Cristea, 21.04.2017, 13:24

While on a one-day visit to Bucharest, the first vice-president of the European Commission Frans Timmermans spoke about the challenges of the present, about Russias position, about migration and terrorism as well as the most recent changes in the Romanian judiciary. The Romanian judicial system has become a model for other EU member countries, and this is something the citizens of Romania should be proud of, the EU official said, and added that Romanias progress in this respect is unbelievable. Every country has its share and forms of corruption, and Romania is now taking the last steps in a marathon whose ultimate goal is to make the rule of law an irreversible concept, Timmermans also said.

In a joint press conference with the PM of Romania Sorin Grindeanu, the EU official said the lifting of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism that Romania has been subject to since it joined the EU 10 years ago, depends on the country fulfilling the recommendations made by the European Commission. Timmermans also voiced his hope that the Romanian people will closely monitor the fight against corruption.

Timmermans also added that Romania is a very important partner for the EU, as one of the leading member countries in terms of border security, and said that, in his opinion, member states ought to make a decision with respect to Romanias Schengen accession, an opinion which was expressed on several previous occasions by representatives of the European Commission.

Romanias Schengen accession is closely tied to the completion of the CVM process, and PM Grindeanu said he wanted a positive final report on the judiciary, so that the Mechanism may be lifted before Bucharest takes over the presidency of the EU Council, in January 2019.

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)