Gov't members to be subjected to code of conduct

The Executive approved on Thursday a Code of Conduct for the members of the Government of Romania, which establishes, among other things, that the general principles governing the conduct of ministers are "the supremacy of the Constitution and the law, the priority of public interest, professionalism, moral integrity and transparency in holding public office."

According to a Government statement, the code regulates conduct and ethics rules for ministers, and its main objective is "to make sure the official duties of public dignitaries members of the government are carried out under rules of integrity, impartiality and transparency as a means of promoting good governance and democracy."

"The general principles governing the conduct of the members of the government are the supremacy of the Constitution and the law, the priority of the public interest, professionalism, moral integrity and transparency in carrying out the duties of the public dignities. Therefore, the members of the Government will be under an obligation to declare by any available means any instance generating conflict of interest or office incompatibility. Furthermore, the use of their own name or image in advertising actions for the purpose of promoting a commercial activity is forbidden," the statement reads.

The members of the Government are under an obligation to ensure, according to law, administrative transparency, in order to maintain public trust in the integrity, impartiality and effectiveness of the public administrations and institutions they represent.

"In their public activity, the members of the government invited to public debates of any kind, in their official capacity, are under an obligation to present the official position of the Romanian Government. Also, if there is no official position of the Government, they will have to make known the fact that the opinion expressed does not represent the official point of view of the Government."

The statement says the complaints regarding the violation of the Code of Conduct by the members of the government are brought to the attention of the prime minister through the General Secretariat of the Government.

"The prime minister shall discussthe matter with the members of the Cabinet, deciding by consensus on the best ways to solve them. Serious deviations from the ethical conduct are subject to analysis within the Government."