Romania combats “border corruption”

President Traian Băsescu stated during the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly that Romania has met all the demands regarding the Schengen accession.

President Traian Băsescu stated during the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly that Romania is constantly fighting corruption on the frontier and that he will continue to his job as a head of state and support the Schengen accession process.

The President believes adding requirements to the accession process just a few weeks before a decision is to be taken could create a dangerous precedent.

The President believes that Romania has met all the demands regarding the Schengen accession.

The head of state mentioned that this problem can only be tackled according to the EU accession treaty, community acquis for all member states.

Traian Băsescu also discussed our country’s fight against corruption on the frontier.

‘We assess that a adding requirements to the accession process just a few weeks before a decision is to be taken could create a dangerous precedent. This is a matter of principle. I can prove it to you with figures that Romania is constantly fighting corruption on the frontier and I will give you two figures.

‘In the past five years 51 customs officers have been apprehended and indicted. Over 120 frontier police officers have been arrested and indicted,’ Traian Băsescu stated.
Roma rights must be observed

In his speech at Strasbourg, President Traian Băsescu stated that Romania will continue its efforts to improve the situation of the Roma, by absorbing more structural funds and involving local authorities in projects.

‘With its organizations and institutions, Europe has to observe the rights of the Roma, not to be treated differently or discriminated against, President Traian Băsescu stated during the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly.

In his speech, the head of state emphasized that Romania will continue its efforts to improve the situation of the Roma, by absorbing more structural funds and involving local authorities in projects.

The head of state added that, before joining the EU, the Roma wandered freely about the country, but now they are European citizens and they cannot be denied their right to free movement.

‘Romania must be responsible for its own citizens, but, at the same time, we ask Europeans that they help and join us in tackling this issue,’ President Traian Băsescu concluded.

Translated by: Gabriela Lungu
MA Student, MTTLC, Bucharest University