The report reads that “in its first year of EU membership Romania has continued to make efforts to remedy weaknesses that would otherwise prevent an effective application of EU laws, policies and programmes. However, in key areas such as the fight against high-level corruption, convincing results have not yet been demonstrated.”
The commission expressed its concern with respect to “the situation on the ground” that raises certain problems the country needs to deal with before the commission carries out a full assessment of the justice field in June.
The report mentions there have been reported delays in implementing a coherent recruitment strategy regarding the justice field and in the establishment of the country’s National Integrity Agency.
The Commission highlighted that “Romania should particularly step up its efforts in the fight against high-level corruption and should strengthen its efforts to maintain the legal and institutional stability of the Romanian anti-corruption framework.”
Nonetheless, the EC recognized Romania’s efforts to set up a credible Action Plan to describe the activities, deadlines and institutions that are responsible for achieving the country’s objectives.
The Commission asked Romania to correct certain points within the Action Plan.