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Romanian ministers, lawmakers must set anti-graft example

30 January 2013, 18:29 CET

(BRUSSELS) - Romanian government ministers and elected MPs should stop clouding democratic processes with judicial probes where the whiff of corruption remains, the European Commission said Wednesday in its latest report on harmonisation with western European norms for the ex-Communist EU latecomer.

Six years after Romania's accession, the European Union is still struggling to see its easternmost outpost as a natural fit -- with Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso repeating "serious concerns" that need addressing with elections keeping President Traian Basescu and arch-rival Prime Minister Victor Ponta locked in a simmering power struggle.

Basescu on January 18 refused to confirm the appointment of a new anti-corruption prosecutor, seen as key to boosting the country's anti-graft credentials.

In Wednesday's six-monthly report, the Commission stressed "the importance of nominating the new prosecutor general ... who would enjoy public confidence and demonstrate the independence, integrity and professionalism needed to deliver effective results in fighting corruption."

It noted that "while the respect for the constitution and the decisions of the Constitutional Court has been restored, the lack of respect for the independence of the judiciary and the instability faced by judicial institutions remain a source of concern."

The onus was placed on ministers and lawmakers to act to reduce conflict over these issues, a news release on the report stated, adding that "the Commission's recommendations also underline the responsibility of ministers and parliamentarians to set an example in terms of respect for integrity."

Reacting to the report, Prime Minister Ponta said Brussels should have discussed with his government before releasing it, alleging the document contained "several material errors".

"I have read that there are three ministers under investigation for corruption but I could not identify them," Ponta said during a government meeting.

"There is Relu Fenechiu (Transports Minister), who is indicted for complicity to abuse of power, but I couldn't find the two others," he added.

A European Commission official told AFP the two other cabinet members the report referred to are the Vice-Premier and Administration Minister Liviu Dragnea and the Economy Minister Varujan Vosganian.

Dragnea is under investigation for alleged fraud during the impeachment referendum last summer while Vosganian is probed for illegally selling cheap natural gas to private companies.

Ponta also said he was surprised the Commission was not aware that four ministers having integrity problems were not reappointed following the December poll.

But the report said the four ministers should have resigned when they were in government.

Barroso concluded that "steps have been taken to address the serious concerns we raised in July and our report explains clearly where further progress is needed."

The Commission said it will "monitor progress closely" ahead of a further report before the end of 2013.

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Report available on the following Commission website


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