EC, following with great concern latest developments related rule of law in Romania

The European Commission is following with great concern the latest developments related the rule of law in Romania, a spokesperson for the European Commission said on Wednesday.

Both the content and the procedure of the last changes through the use of emergency ordinances, without consulting the judiciary and those directly interested, appear to be in direct contradiction with the recommendations of the European Commission within the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, upheld by all Member States and consequently the Commission will ask for explanations from the Romanian government about the latest changes, the spokesperson stressed.

"I bring to mind that the November EC report urges Romania to establish a solid and independent system for the appointment of high-level prosecutors, based on clear and transparent criteria and supported by the Venice Commission", and to "review the laws of justice by taking full account of the CVM recommendations and formulated by the Venice Commission and GRECO," the EC spokesperson said in a statement, noting that "the latest changes follow a different path."

"As I have said before, Romania must urgently bring back on track the reform process, which means going forward rather than backwards and refraining from any measure that wipes out the progress made in recent years," the spokesperson concluded.