Romania Not A Modern State, Just Met Minimal EU Accession Standards – President

"Romania is not a modern country. I want you to know very well that this is what I believe. Romania has met certain minimal standards when it joined the European Union and after that, many politicians considered that is the level where the country should stay. No, that is where Romania should have sped up its modernization process, including the process to increase local autonomy," Basescu said during the works of the Association of Communes in Romania, that took place Sunday in the sea-side resort of Mamaia and was attended by over 250 mayors of communes throughout the country.

The head of state told mayors he read the National Pact for Local Autonomy, which is to be discussed during the meeting, and is happy with it, but has one amendment. Basescu asked mayors not to back the idea that mayors should preside over the works of the Local Council.

"It is a fundamental element of democracy that the executive elected is not also the head of the local legislative body. I too felt like I needed to head the local council when I was mayor and it would have been convenient for me to be able to manage what the council did, but that would be a step back in terms of democracy,” Basescu said.

He added more issues can be discussed during the general meeting of the Association of Communes on August 4, where the prime minister and several ministers are invited.

The National Pact for Local Autonomy has been proposed to parliamentary parties and the measures included in it target a series of legislative changes. The Association of Communes in Romania proposes the amendment of the Law on local public administration and the Law for the election of local public authorities.