EC first VP encourages Romanian Parliament to support Government in reaching CVM objectives

Frans Timmermans, the first vice president of the European Commission (EC), said he is encouraging the Romanian Parliament to support the Government's efforts in reaching the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) objectives. Timmermans made a visit to Romania on Thursday, where he had meetings with Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu, Senate president Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu, the president of the Chamber of Deputies Liviu Dragnea, and justice minister Tudorel Toader. He also attended a public debate on the future of the European Union. When issuing the latest CVM report in January, the EC said it would continue to monitor Romania until the progress in fighting corruption and reforming its justice system is irreversible. At the same time, in the 2017 report on Romania issued this February, the European Commission said that corruption persists at all levels and remains an obstacle for doing business in Romania. “To be successful in the CVM process, I encourage the Romanian Parliament to support the Government in the final stretch of the marathon #CVM,” Timmermans wrote on his Twitter account. First vice-president Timmermans also said that the Romanian people are the main guarantor for rule of law in the country and they will continue the fight against corruption even after the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) on Romania will be removed, News.ro reported. Timmermans did not specify a date for when the justice monitoring process might be finished but said the direction followed by the Government is going towards the fulfillment of the EC recommendations. “Our fight for the rule of law and human rights is not one we lead for ourselves. We believe that every European citizen, regardless of where they live, deserves the rule of law,” Timmermans said. He explained that applying the CVM over the past ten years brought about achievements in Romania. Timmermans also mentioned that changes in the area of justice at the beginning of the year which made the Brussels officials “nervous.” At the end of January, the Government issued the emergency ordinance no.13, which aimed to decriminalize some corruption deeds, such as abuse of office. The ordinance was repealed by the Government and then rejected by the Parliament on February 21