Speaker Dragnea on meeting with EC's Timmermans: Me giving explanations?

Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Liviu Dragnea was surprised that he should give any explanations regarding the removal from office of the chief prosecutor of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) at a meeting with First Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans on Thursday, arguing that the Romanian Parliament has no reason to give explanations.

"Me giving explanations? Why not being arrested for any action? Why should I give explanations?" Dragnea responded at Parliament Palace on Wednesday, asked if he would explain the request for the chef prosecutor's removal at a meeting on Thursday with Timmermans.

According to Dragnea, European officials "cannot expect explanations from Parliament on such topics."

He confirmed that he will meet the CE official on Thursday.

Vice-President of the European Commission and European Commissioner for Better Regulation, Interinstitutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights Frans Timmermans will come on an official visit to Bucharest on Thursday to meet high-level Romanian officials. According to the EC Representation in Romania, the European official will meet President Klaus Iohannis, Senate Chairman Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Liviu Dragnea, and Prime Minister Viorica Dancila. According to the same source, Timmermans will also meet representatives of Romania's judiciary and members of the Joint Select Committee of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate on the Systematisation, Unification and Legislative Stability in the Field of Justice.

On Thursday afternoon, the European official will hold a press conference at the European Commission Representation in Romania.

Timmermans said he expects the Romanian officials to provide explanations regarding the proposed removal of DNA Chief Prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi. "I will meet with her [Kovesi] and the minister of justice and I will listen to their arguments," said Timmermans in a statement to caleaeuropeana.ro. AGERPRES (RO - author: Catalina Matei, editor: Andreea Rotaru; EN - author: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu, editor: Rodica State)

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