Romania’s Defense Council Calls For Action Plan Against Financial Crimes

Romanian Intelligence Service head George Cristian Maior presented a report on tax evasion and smuggling and underscored that tax evasion and smuggling are widespread in the fields of agri-food, alcohol and tobacco-based products, constructions and energy products, the press release also reads. The report also says that the growing number of financial crimes severely affects the sustainability of public budgets and also distorts competition.

The future plan of action targets to improve cooperation between the country’s Interior Ministry, Public Finance Ministry and the Prosecutor’s Office. To this end, operational work groups, which will include special officers and experts designated by competent bodies, will also be set up at county level.

The Defense Council meeting was attended by Prime Minister Emil Boc, Interior Minister Vasile Blaga, Defense Minister Gabriel Oprea, Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi, Finance Minister Sebastian Vladescu, Economy Minister Adriean Videanu, Justice Minister Catalin Marian Predoiu, the Romanian Intelligence Service head George Cristian Maior, the Romanian Foreign Intelligence Service head Mihai Razvan Ungureanu, the presidential adviser on national security, Iulian Fota, presidential adviser Anca Ilinoiu (head of the Department for International Relations), Defense Council secretary Ion Oprisor and President Traian Basescu’s spokesperson Valeriu Turcan.