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| THE WEEK IN REVIEW 22-28/03/2010 |
| (2010-03-26) |
| Last updated: 2010-03-29 13:34 EET |
The European Commission has released an interim report that looks at the state of play in the Romanian justice system. The document indicates that Bucharest has not managed to keep up the pace of reforms, and its results are rather modest. The report also notes delays in the endorsement of the codes of civil and criminal procedures and in trying high-level corruption cases. On the other hand, the performance of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate and of the National Integrity Agency is appreciated. The Commission also believes that closer cooperation between political players and the judiciary is necessary, in order to support reforms in the system. After the document was presented, Romanian Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu said that the main positive element was that, in 2009, a complex year in political and economic terms, Bucharest had managed to maintain the course of judicial reform. The interim report is indicative of the final report, due this summer, when Romania would like to see the European monitoring process initiated upon its EU accession in January 2007 coming to an end. Once again, the European Commission urges Bucharest to make the fight against corruption a national priority.
Criticised by the EU for its ineffective fight against corruption, this week Romania has seen a first: Senators have given the go-ahead for the preventive arrest of one of their fellow MPs. Catalin Voicu, a member of the Social Democratic Party, elected Senator one year ago, was charged with influence peddling, forgery of documents and intellectual deceit, in a file that also involves judges from the High Court of Cassation and Justice. According to the National Anti-Corruption Directorate, last year, in exchange for several hundred thousand Euros, Voicu allegedly talked magistrates and police chiefs into favouring two businessmen who had legal problems.
In Brussels, during the spring meeting of the European Council, countries in the Euro zone reached an agreement on the financial means to help Greece out of its severe economic crisis. President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, explained that the mechanism involved loans from Member States, in addition to funding from the International Monetary Fund. Euro zone leaders also expressed hopes that the austerity measures taken in Greece will yield results and that the mechanism will not be activated. Euro zone member countries also agreed on a preventive measure, consisting in a better coordination of national economic policies at a European level. On the other hand, speaking about the new EU strategy on employment and economic growth, president Traian Basescu, who represented Romania at the summit, defined the goal of increasing employment rates among citizens aged between 20 and 64 as “ambitious.”
Bucharest’s decision to buy 24 used F-16 American planes, hailed by the US, disgruntled the European military aircraft manufacturers. Gripen and Eurofighter, which produce high-tech aircraft, believe the decision not to launch an open invitation to tender has deprived Romania of yet another opportunity to strengthen its ties with the European aircraft industry. The F-16 planes, the purchase of which will cost 1.3 billion US dollars, are designed to replace, in 2013, the MIG 21 Lancers currently used by the Romanian Army, a NATO member since 2004. A news release issued by the presidency states that Romania lacks the financial resources needed for the purchase of new aircraft. The decision made by the Higher Defence Council is to be submitted to Parliament for approval.
Dissatisfied with the massive redundancies the Government plans to operate this autumn, as well as with the authorities’ decision to phase out the payment of their overdue salaries, teaching staff in Romania have this week staged protest rallies. They say the enforcement of the single payment bill has reduced their incomes. On the other hand, prime minister Emil Boc argues that the State budget cannot cover increases in teachers’ salaries. Under the current economic circumstances, he explains, that would only push the inflation rate up and would entail the doubling of certain prices.
“Teaching staff salaries will further be paid in the forthcoming period, as increased by 17 % in 2008, but the Romanian economy currently lacks the resources for an additional, 33% raise.”
Union leaders say protests will be carried on, because negotiations with the government have failed. President of the Spiru Haret Federation, Gheorghe Izvoranu:
“We have decided to try and discuss next week both with Labour Ministry officials, and with Finance Ministry officials. But if they keep the same positions they had in the past, then tough times are ahead, and we need the support of all those working in the education system, so as to overcome the arrogance and disdain that the current Government seems to have with respect to the education system.”
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