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Martin Harris, new British ambassador: Fight against corruption is very important

The cooperation and checking mechanism for justice must be maintained until conditions are met. The adoption of the ANI law is a good sign for British investors but restrictions for Romanians on the British labour market remain at least until 2011.

These are some of the ideas expressed by the new British ambassador to Bucharest, martin Harris, who held his first press conference on Thursday.

The British diplomat answered questions about the cooperation mechanism for justice, Moldova's accession to EU or the way in which Romania could win the British investors' confidence to do business in Romania.

Harris said that London's compass was pointing toward Bucharest for three reasons: economic, security and European policy'. Starting from those premises the ambassador added that the two countries could set up an efficient and pragmatic partnership.He welcomed the rapid and consistent answer made by the Romanian president, government and Parliament to the European Commission report about ANI law and hopes the provisions of the law will be reinstated as soon as possible.

Martin Harris believes that it is an important sign for British investors about the business climate in Romania. The fight against corruption is very important for investors and the adoption of the ANI law was a positive sign, he added.

The ambassador also welcomed the adoption by the Senate of two other laws: one on the small reform in Justice and the essential amendment to the Constitutional Court law, by which trials will no longer be interrupted by lifting the exception of unconstitutionality.Asked whether Romania will enjoy British support in its accession to the Schengen area, a question linked by French politicians to the solution of the gypsy problem, ambassador Harris tried to avoid a direct answer, saying that Great Britain is not a member of the Schengen area and therefore he could not make any comments.

However when journalists insisted on political influence of his country in EU, which had an important say in any matter concerning the Union, the British diplomat said that we have a joint interest to ensure an efficient control of EU borders and we can support all actions of fighting corruption at border crossing points while backing the modernization process of customs checking.The ambassador also said his mandate was different from his predecessor's as Romania i9s now an EU and NATO member and must not be assisted in its accession progress. His mission will be to build a new partnership between two EU and NATO equal members. The new British government intends to play an active role in Europe and sees in Romania an important and close partner in point of philosophy and approach, he added.

First of all the main reason of London's interest for Romania is economic. London supports the IMF program in Romania and the efforts made by Bucharest authorities to reduce budget deficit. The British government has a similar target. Moreover, the development of commercial exchanges is essential for economic re-launch and creating new jobs, the British diplomat said.The ambassador considers it is a good thing that Romania continues the IMF program and a good sign for British investors as well. Some of these investors he met in London and Bucharest have a positive outlook on the Romanian market, but it is a long term perspective. On a short term, recession is a problem but there is a big potential recognized by British investors.

Sursa: http://www.actmedia.eu

Tags: british investors romania important ambassador harris martin corruption

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