CVM Report/MAE: Romania maintains conviction it meets requirements for CVM lifting

Romania maintains its conviction that it meets the requirements for lifting the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism (CVM), "in the context in which, as full EU member state for more than ten years, it has continuously proved a constructive approach in respect to meeting the justice-related objectives," reads a Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) response sent at AGERPRES' request.

MAE underscores that "Romania is a state with a mature democracy and has the necessary democratic and constitutional mechanisms to make its own decisions, in full agreement with the European values."

"Starting from it democratic maturity and the determination to contribute to the development of the EU, Romania's objectives and actions as President of the Council of the European Union will be fully in line with the European values and will prove the constant support for the Union project, including on a high level, in the agenda of the Summit in Sibiu," MAE showed.

Referring to the EP resolution concerning the rule of law in Romania, MAE points out that the laws brought to mind "have been adopted after significant public consultations and have made the object of an extended debate inside the Romanian society."

"More than that, the right of the parliamentary opposition to challenge them with the Constitutional Court has been fully observed. At the same time, the goal the legislature had in view was one in accordance with the common values of the EU member states - the observance of the fundamental rights of all citizens, the improvement of the justice system and act of justice and the elimination of abuses," the ministry points out.

Consequently, the result Romania has proposed "has always been one of improving the justice system." "All judicial systems are improvable, and the concern to improve them, in accordance with the gathered experience and issues specific to each state, represents a natural democratic practice," MAE adds.

Furthermore, MAE mentions that during the entire legislating process, Romania "has proved openness to real and concrete dialogue with the institutions of the European Union and its foreign partners, a necessary and natural position in the context of its affiliation to a community of states with common democratic values."

"We shall continue this policy to ensure a better understanding of the processes conducted in Romania," MAE adds.

At the same time, MAE also approaches the events of 10 August, which "are the object of an ongoing investigation, carried out by the Romanian judicial institutions in charge."

"We find as inopportune any previous opinion on this topic. We underscore that Romania is constantly concerned with ensuring the observance of all fundamental rights, and, at the same time, with ensuring public order to the collective benefit of the Romanian citizens," MAE says.

Moreover, the ministry voices its availability to cooperate with the European institutions in justice matters. AGERPRES (RO - author: Oana Ghita, editor: Antonia Nita; EN - author: Adina Panaitescu, editor: Rodica State)