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Chief-prosecutor of the DNA (National Anti-Corruption Directorate) Laura Codruta Kovesi, on Friday stated in Timisoara, where she went to receive the Speranta Award offered by Societatea Timisoara (ST) that she hoped prosecutors will remain independent and also that they will continue to have laws they can use, in order to be able to do their job as well as possible, informs Agerpres.
Kovesi accepted the Speranta (Hope) Award on behalf of the DNA, for "the best contribution to the establishment of democracy, demolition of the communist structures and for maintaining hope in Romania."
"Thank you for this award, we are honoured to receive it and we gratefully receive it. I received your invitation to participate in this event a couple of weeks ago, when I also accepted it, first of all out of the respect that we have for Societatea Timisoara and for the reputation that this award, which we received now, the Speranta Award, has. Societatea Timisoara has always been consistent in promoting and defending the democratic values and the rule of law. But what I appreciate the most, together with my colleagues, is the consistency with which it continued to defend and promote another thing: 'The fight against fatigue and the resignation of those who gave up hoping in truth and honour.' This is another reason for which I accepted to come here today, to this event. We too, as prosecutors, have the same duty, to observe and seek the truth, to do our job by observing the law, to be honest and fair in everything that we do. We will continue to do this in the future," Kovesi said.
She underscored that the independence of judges, of the judicial system and an efficient legislation are the fundamental premises in fighting criminality and also in order to fight against corruption, especially the high level corruption.
"I hope, together with my colleagues, that the prosecutors will remain independent. I hope that we will be able to keep the institutional and legislative stability, and I hope that we will continue to have laws that we can use, in order to do our job as well as possible. The expectations that the civil society has in respect to our activity are high, legitimate, grounded and we try, and continue to do our job as well as possible every day. The prosecutors' independence, that of the judicial system and an efficient legislation are also the fundamental premises in fighting criminality and also in fighting corruption, especially high level corruption. We hope that this will not change," said Laura Codruta Kovesi.
In the Laudatio, the President of the Societatea Timisoara, Florian Mihalcea, pointed out the fact that the DNA investigated 14 ministers and more than 50 high dignitaries, out of whom 27 were sent to trial, with impressive amounts having been confiscated from them, following final court decisions.
Ever since 1992, Societatea Timisoara has been offering the Speranta Award to personalities such as King Mihai I, Corneliu Coposu or Monica Lovinescu.
"We wanted that the only person to ever receive our Secera si Ciocanul [the Sickle and the Hammer] Award to remain Ion Iliescu [a former Romanian President], but is seems like there are more and more candidates wanting to take his place. This year, the "Secera si Ciocanul Award" goes to Liviu Dragna and Calin Popescu Tariceanu. The Award will be sent to them through our MPs from the Timis County," said Mihalcea.
The "Alexandru Indries" Award was received by writer and journalist Radu Vancu, the "Oscar Berger" Award was given to civic journalist Liviu Avram, and the "Ion Monoran" Award went to historian and researcher Madalin Hodor.
