Press Release: Commission reports on progress in Romania under the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism

On 27 January 2016 the Commission issued its latest report on steps taken by Romania on judicial reform and the fight against corruption, in the context of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM). The report showed continued progress towards the goals of the CVM and indicated where further steps are needed.

The report concludes that the Romanian judicial system continued to demonstrate professionalism, including a capacity to adapt to significant changes in the civil and criminal codes, efforts to unify jurisprudence and a willingness to defend the independence of the judiciary. At the same time, the fact that several recommendations of the 2015 CVM report remain valid shows that reform does not enjoy the full consensus necessary to assure sustainable progress.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: MEMO/16/154, 27.01.16: Reports on Progress under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism in Bulgaria and Romania http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-154_en.htm

Balkan Insight, 28.01.16: EU Cautiously Greets Romania's Justice Reforms http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/eu-sees-good-change-in-romania-justice-reform-01-27-2016

Romania Insider, 27.01.16: Romania’s praised for its progress in fighting corruption in the European Commission’s new CVM report http://www.romania-insider.com/romanias-progress-in-fighting-corruption-acknowledged-by-the-european-commissions-new-cvm-report/163924/

EurActiv, 27.01.16: Romania praised in Commission report but Bulgaria damned http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/romaina-praised-commission-report-bulgaria-damned-321361

ESO: Background information: Ponta to be tried for corruption / Romanian Socialists dump Ponta, Dragnea emerges as new ‘strongman’ http://www.europeansources.info/record/ponta-to-be-tried-for-corruption-romanian-socialists-dump-ponta-dragnea-emerges-as-new-strongman/

ESO: Background information: Commission reports on progress in Romania under the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-commission-reports-on-progress-in-romania-under-the-co-operation-and-verification-mechanism/

ESO: Background information: Romania’s anti-corruption drive might still fall short of cleaning up the country’s politics http://www.europeansources.info/record/romanias-anti-corruption-drive-might-still-fall-short-of-cleaning-up-the-countrys-politics/

ESO: Background information: Romanian finance minister resigns over corruption allegations http://www.europeansources.info/record/romanian-finance-minister-resigns-over-corruption-allegations/

Politico, 29.01.16: Romania’s corruption crackdown pays off http://www.politico.eu/article/romania-corruption-crackdown-pays-off-pruna-ciolos-ponta-transparency/

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