The EC published today, 13 July, the latest Special Eurobarometer on Corruption, listing citizens’ perceptions and experiences, as well as the Flash Eurobarometer on the attitudes of businesses to corruption in the EU. Corruption remains a serious problem for EU citizens: 68 % of them believe that corruption is still widespread in their country. For 63 % of EU businesses, corruption is also a widespread problem in their country. 37 % of respondents believe that anti-corruption measures are applied impartially and without hidden purposes. 34 % of EU citizens believe that sufficient prosecutions are successful to discourage people from engaging in corruption practices and that their national government’s efforts to fight corruption are effective (31 %). And 31 % believe that transparency and control over the funding of political parties in their country is sufficient. Corruption remains a serious problem: 72% of respondents believe that, in Romania, corruption is still widespread (68% European average). For 88% of Romanian companies, corruption is also a widespread problem, with the EU average of 63%. 42% of respondents consider that, in Romania, anti-corruption measures are applied impartially and without hidden purposes (38% for EU-27). 37% of Romanian respondents believe that the government's efforts to combat corruption are effective (31% European average), and 40% believe that transparency and control over the financing of political parties in Romania are sufficient (31% EU-27 average). Eurobarometer surveys are an important source of information for the Commission’s assessments, including rule of law reports. Under the EU Rule of Law Mechanism, the Commission encourages the fight against corruption to promote a rule of law culture in all EU countries. The 2022 Rule of Law Report will, for the first time, contain specific recommendations addressed to Member States, in particular on the fight against corruption. In May, the Commission presented a proposal for a directive on asset recovery and confiscation to ensure that crime and corruption are not profitable, limiting the ability of criminals to commit new crimes. In addition, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is operational and has already blocked and confiscated assets from criminals worth several million euros.
On Thursday, January 23, the European Commission granted a protected geographical indication status to Romania’s Jidvei wine. The new status offers recognition for the distinctive qualities of the wine. The brand encompasses white, rosé, red, sparkling, semi-sparkling, and liqueur wines produced from grape varieties grown in the Alba region, in central-western Romania. The vineyards in […]
Romania's pavilion at the Osaka World Expo 2025, which will take place from April 13 to October 13, was built with a focus on sustainability, including contributions from Romanian workers. The pavilion also highlights Romania's national resources. The mascot for the expo is a pelican named Haru (meaning "spring" in Japanese), symbolizing the importance of […]
Examin, a Romanian startup specializing in AI-powered video analytics, has secured EUR 200,000 in pre-seed funding from a private investor. The funds will be directed toward a market-ready product, creating an AI-driven prototype for quality inspection in manufacturing processes (AI Quality Inspection), developing its first AI Video Analytics camera, expanding the team, and scaling marketing […]
The beginning of 2025 brought increased pollution in the Bucharest-Ilfov area, as traditional pollutants such as cars and heating systems met low wind speeds, high humidity, and thermal inversion. The latter three prevent pollutant particles from dispersing and instead keep them at ground level. As a result, the level of pollution has doubled in the […]
Update: DNA confirmed that Sinaia mayor Vlad Oprea had been detained for 24 hours beginning January 23 on charges of bribery in continuous form, conducting financial operations incompatible with his position, false in asset declarations, abuse of office, and influence peddling. The prosecutors also said that Oprea indirectly received a total bribe of EUR 238,000 […]
Prosecutors from Romania's National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) reportedly detained Vlad Oprea, the mayor of the popular mountain town of Sinaia, for 24 hours on Thursday, January 23. He faces corruption charges in a case investigated by the DNA, with further searches set to take place at the Sinaia City Hall later today, in the presence […]
