The Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) today (August 8) published a report on Romania assessing progress made in implementing the recommendations issued to the country in the Fourth Round Evaluation Report in 2015 on the prevention of corruption in respect of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors and under the ad hoc Rule 34 Procedure introduced in 2018 addressing concerns brought about by a series of judicial reforms in 2017. GRECO concludes that Romania has implemented satisfactorily or dealt with in a satisfactory manner eight out of thirteen recommendations contained in the Fourth Round Evaluation Report, and all recommendations in the Follow-up to the Ad hoc (Rule 34) Report. With respect to members of parliament, it is highly regrettable that no progress has been made with respect to the five outstanding recommendations since the last compliance report. It is important that the transparency of the parliamentary process be further improved and that the use of urgent procedures be reduced. Conflicts of interest and rules on how MPs engage with lobbyists still need to be introduced and a system of independent counselling for MPs to seek advice on integrity matters also needs to be put in place. With respect to both judges and prosecutors, the efforts made to increase the role of the Supreme Council of Magistracy and the Judicial Inspectorate in responding to risks for the integrity of judges and prosecutors have now been positively noted in the implementation of the new laws on the Judiciary adopted and enacted in 2022. Their implementation so far is promising, however GRECO encourages the Romanian authorities to remain vigilant. GRECO welcomes that legislative measures have been taken that largely comply with the two remaining recommendations addressed by GRECO in this Rule 34 (Ad hoc) Procedure. Notably, the new laws on the Judiciary of 2022 went towards providing stronger independence for prosecutors and their operations in the law. They also provided for clarity and predictability as regards liability of judges and prosecutors for judicial errors. As regards the independence of the prosecution service, GRECO takes note that there is work in progress with respect to additional safeguards being introduced, resulting from the work of a Romanian panel of high-level experts, which addressed outstanding Venice Commission recommendations, several of which refer to the issue of the independence of the prosecution service. GRECO welcomes the progress made with respect to judges and prosecutors and encourages the Romanian authorities to continue their efforts regarding the work in progress and to keep it informed on the follow up given to it.
The Romanian state, through the Ministry of Transport led by Ciprian Şerban, is analysing the possibility of taking over the 20% stake that Fondul Proprietatea (BVB: FP) holds in Porturi Maritime Constanţa (CNAPMC). The move would make the state the sole shareholder of Romania's most important logistics hub, responsible for import-export, transit, storage, and operation […]
Romanian companies are increasing investment and accelerating digital transformation, but remain more cautious about the economic outlook than their EU counterparts, according to the European Investment Bank's newly released EIB Investment Survey 2025 – Romania overview. The report showed that 78% of Romanian firms invested in the past year, an improvement over previous editions yet […]
Wizz Air announced on Monday, December 8, the reopening of its base in Târgu Mureș, marking the company’s ninth operational base in Romania. The low-cost carrier will station an Airbus A320neo at Transylvania International Airport, increasing its Romanian fleet to 39 aircraft this winter. Wizz Air now offers 10 routes to eight countries from […]
East Grain Group and Poultry Investment SA have acquired the 45% stake previously held by UBM Group in UBM Feed Romania, thus becoming equal shareholders in one of Romania's largest feed producers, which will now operate under the brand Protena. East Grain is controlled by Czech agri-food group Agrofert, one of the largest agribusiness groups […]
The Foreign Investors Council (FIC) has appointed Ruxandra Băndilă as its executive director. Băndilă will coordinate FIC's activity and "will contribute to strengthening the dialogue with authorities, consolidating the organization's positioning as a reliable partner in promoting a stable and predictable business environment, as well as supporting Romania's becoming a competitive and attractive destination for […]
Romania’s European projects and investments minister, Dragoș Pîslaru, announced that he will notify the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) regarding the purchase of electric minibuses for students with EU funds. The minister said that “multiple dysfunctions” were noted in how the EU funds were used in the project. Aside from notifying the EPPO, the minister […]
