U.S. ambassador: Romania's progress on fighting corruption is substantial, but not enough

Yes, for sure I have seen progress. Also my colleagues from Great Britain and Canada are present here and we all have witnessed the steps forward. (...) For example, I noticed progress in the police and judicial domain, also regarding the National Agency of Integrity and the last report on the Mechanism of Cooperation and Verification (MCV) was very encouraging. Are these enough? No, they are not!, the U.S. ambassador said.

In addition, the diplomat voiced appreciation for the reform efforts of the state that started in 2000, especially over the last year, efforts for which 'a significant political price had to be paid.'

But the wage and pension legislation reform, the Labour Code reform and that of the anti-corruption legislation, recruiting well-trained policemen and prosecutors and beginning the judicial system reforming are not enough. These measures have been difficult. You have to be proud of these achievements. But they are not enough. It is not enough to establish these reforms to satisfy a Brussels bureaucrat with respect to implementing the requirements of the MCV or to enter in the Schengen Area. It is far more important and sustainable to offer ordinary Romanians the power to ensure transparency, predictability and to root out corruption, said Gitenstein.

The U.S. diplomat also said beyond any reform or law, the international community wants to see that the determination to continue the reforms emerges from Romania and is not imposed by other body, pointing out that one of the best ways of proving this is by turning into private hands the energy sector and by meeting the highest standards of corporate governance.