Romania-USA Extradition Treaty Enters Force

According to a Ministry statement, the instruments ratifying the Treaty of extradition between Romania and the United States, signed on September 10, 2007, were exchanged Friday. The new treaty replaces the previous Convention of extradition, signed in Bucharest on July 23, 1924, and its later amendment treaty, signed in 1936.

 

The ratification instruments for the Protocol on legal assistance in criminal matters to the Treaty between Romania and the United States were also exchanged Friday. The act will enter force at the same time as the Agreement between the European Union and the United States.

 

“The Protocol implementing the bilateral agreement in the field of legal assistance in criminal matters is the fulfillment by Romania of an obligation to create a legal instrument which is harmonized with the terms of the Agreement of collaboration in the field of legal cooperation in criminal matters between the European Union and the United States, an obligation which derives from Romania’s status as a member of the European Union,” the statement says.

 

Former Romanian Justice Minister Tudor Chiuariu and US Ambassador to Bucharest Nicholas F. Taubman signed, on September 10, 2007, the Treaty of extradition between Romania and the United States of America, as well as the Protocol to the Treaty between Romania and the United States regarding legal assistance in criminal matters.

 

The Protocol implements modern forms of legal assistance, recognized by both Romanian and American legislation: the communication of information on bank accounts, common investigation teams, hearings via videoconference, the transmission of requests for legal assistance using fast means of communications, as well as increasing the number of authorities which can benefit from legal assistance.

 

Therefore, common investigation teams can be created and work on Romanian and US territory, in order to facilitate inquiries or criminal tracking in cases which involve the US and one or more EU member states, when Romania and the US deem it necessary.

 

The laws ratifying the Treaty of extradition and the Protocol to the Treaty regarding legal assistance in criminal matters between Romania and the US were signed in Bucharest on September 10, 2007 and promulgated in May 2008 by President Traian Basescu.