US, UK, Dutch and German envoys in Bucharest hint to Parliament in face to face meeting: Stick to anti-corruption fight

Four European envoys to Romania met the Chamber and Senate Speakers on Wednesday evening to debate the recent amendments operated by the Parliament in Bucharest on crucial laws. After the two-hour meeting held in the Senate, attended by the US charge d’affaires Dean Thompson, the UK ambassador Paul Brummell, the Netherlands’ ambassador, Matthijs van Bonzel and the deputy head of mission at the German embassy, Achim Troster, the joint statement expressed by the British ambassador was that the foreign missions in Bucharest want to make sure that the Romanian lawmaking body is acknowledging the importance of the anti-corruption fight. Brummell said that the National Anti-corruption Directorate and other institutions in this area of work have an important “key” part in Romania and explained the diplomats just wanted to make sure that this importance is fully understood.

The meeting was requested by the American envoy, who initially suggested it should take place at the US ambassador residence and it should include PNL co-presidents Alina Gorghiu and Vasile Blaga.

The foreign diplomatic missions have recently expressed reactions to the latest amendments to the Criminal Code and to the Criminal Procedure Code.

In his turn, the Senate Speaker, Calin Popescu Tariceanu raised the issue of the media show that is accompanying lately most of the arrests, while pointing out there are alarming signs that the defendants’ files are attended by the intelligence services until they get to the court. Tariceanu also stated there is interference and a subtle pressure on those who are administering the justice.

Questioned if the US Embassy still has concerns after this meeting, the Senate Speaker said that “it is not the role of an embassy to express such concerns.”