Romanian Justice Minister Pushes For Transparency In Integrity Agency’s Activity

Predoiu also said Saturday, in an interview for the public television, that the agency is an independent institution under the supervision of the National Integrity Council (CNI), adding it is not subordinated to the Justice Ministry.

The minister stressed the agency’s activity has gradually expanded after the agency was provided with new instruments. Predoiu also highlighted, citing recent statistics, that integrity inspectors were working on 2,300-2,400 files in October 2009, adding files kept piling up ever since October.

Predoiu also pushed for a better relation between the agency and the public, as well as enhanced communication whenever ambiguities involving the files surface in the media.

Asked to comment on reforms in the country’s justice system, Predoiu said the political turmoil in recent months is one of the main factors leading to stalled reforms in this sector. He added, however, that Romania’s reforms in its justice system received positive feedback in the European Commission’s country reports in 2008 and 2009.