European Commission country recommendations made for Romania

Romania needs to take measures to correct the significant deviation from the medium-term budgetary objective, strengthen tax collection and set a minimum wage based on objective criteria. These are some of the country's recommendations made today by the European Commission for this year.

RRA Correspondent in Brussels, Amalia Bojescu: It is for the second year in a row when Romania is in a process of significant deviation. That is why it is important to substantially reduce the budget deficit. EU executive also recommends full implementation of the tax framework and strengthening of tax collection.

Report for Romania also shows that sustainability of the public pension system and long-term viability of second pillar funds must be ensured. At the same time, attention is drawn to the need to improve the quality and inclusion of education, especially for Roma and other disadvantaged groups, given that funds allocated to this area are among the lowest in the European Union. Report also shows that, despite recent improvements, poverty rates and income inequality remain high and regional disparities are on the rise: a Romanian out of three continues to be at risk of poverty and social exclusion.

Health system faces challenges, such as reduced funding, insufficient use of resources and lack of reforms.

In the field of Justice, the European Commission is concerned about changes in the judiciary and, EU Executive says, measures aimed at amending criminal codes would have a negative impact on effectiveness of criminal investigations and proceedings.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei