STATEMENT
by
H.E. Adrian Nastase, Prime Minister of Romania,
Concerning
the Government Policy For Romania’s
North
Atlantic Treaty Organization Membership
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Bucharest, Palace of Parliament, April 10, 2002 -
I.
The reform of the military
II.
The economic reform
IV.
The
securing of information and intelligence services
V.
The fight
against human trafficking
VI.
Children rights
VII.
The
actions in the field of minorities' rights protection and actions to eliminate
all forms of discrimination
First
of all, I wish to thank you for the opportunity you have granted me to address
you at this joint meeting of the two Chambers of the Parliament and to lay down
before you, according to the provisions of the Romanian Constitution, the
Statement concerning the government policy for Romania’s North Atlantic Treaty
Organization membership.
From
the very beginning I wish to assert that this year can mean for Romania the
crowning of all its efforts, by gaining membership to the family of states
sharing the same values, the community of civilization and security that is the
Euro-Atlantic community. Romania's efforts have reached the level where its
perspectives to Euro-Atlantic integration begin to gain the acknowledgment of
our Western partners.
Today's
meeting represents a moment of special significance for the activity of the
Parliament and of the Cabinet, as well as for the entire Romanian people, in the
perspective of this autumn's Prague Summit, where the future standing of Romania
is to be decided, where Romania's democracy, its economy, the absence of any
conflict whatsoever with our neighbors and our respect towards minorities will
be weighed.
Recent
evaluations from the representatives of the NATO partner countries and from the
European Union on the compatibility of Romania with the countries of the
Euro-Atlantic community have emphasized our progresses and the targets necessary
in order to consolidate Romania's application.
These
evaluations are meant to support us in speeding up the creation of the system of
values and norms shared by all allies.
This
is the direction in which I invite you to follow the issues discussed with our
partners.
Mainly,
I am referring to the reform of the military, especially by enhancing planning
through a more proper correlation of resources with objectives, through a
transparent economic reform, by fighting corruption and human trafficking,
protecting classified information and the functioning of intelligence services,
by preserving children and national minorities' rights.
Although
apparently some of these issues do not have a direct connection with the NATO
expansion, they support the compatibility of our country with the system of
norms and values shared by all allies.
The
considerable efforts undertaken by Romania in preparing for NATO membership are
not aimed exclusively at fulfilling NATO joining criteria. We are not conducting
reforms solely because NATO or the European Union suggested that we should, but
mainly because they are of the utmost necessity for the development of a
democratic, stable and prosperous Romania.
We
do not try to fight corruption following recommendations; we do so because we
wish to establish a civilized Romania, with a healthy business environment,
capable to generate trust among potentially successful investors.
We
do not strive to address the issue of institutionalized children just because
the European Union demands it, but because it is only normal for Romania to look
after its children and because we feel compelled to prevent the establishment of
a marginalized social group, that of children in distress.
The
restructuring of the military must be performed regardless of our application
for NATO, as Romania needs a modern, professional and mobile military, capable
not only to defend our borders, but also – when necessary – to live up to
the task of peacekeeping missions outside Romania.
When
asked what Romania would do if it fails to be invited to join NATO in Prague, we
answer: we will continue our reforms and we will continue to prepare our
application. There is no other solution for Romania: we will pursue our reform,
as this is the only way to turn Romania into a stable democracy and to provide
decent life standards for the entire Romanian people.
We
are preparing for NATO integration, as we know that we rightfully belong to the
group of Allies. At present we have no other alternative.
Geopolitical,
Romania lies in a risk area. This is further argument for the military dimension
of Romania’s national reform.
The
Balkan area is famous for its stability and security issues. Preserving a stable
domestic environment, where social peace and interethnic tolerance are the rule
is the only incontestable argument Romania can bring forth.
Romania’s
NATO membership will represent a step forward towards Romania’s integration
within the civilization based on Euro-Atlantic values.
Geographically,
we belong to South-Eastern Europe, yet we have successfully established a
culture of tolerance, characteristic to the Western world. We shall shoulder the
difficult, yet honoring task to disseminate this culture within South-Easter
Europe, to irradiate regional peace and stability.
Geo-strategic
arguments alone are not enough for NATO membership. Romania must prove that its
democratic system is stable, with a predictable and irreversible development.
Romania must produce the proof of its maturity and superior training in order to
undertake NATO-led missions. The Membership
Action
Plan, now on its third yearly cycle, allowed us to structure, side by side with
NATO representatives, the membership preparing process. On the 16th of April, in
Brussels, the meeting of the North Atlantic Committee with Romania will take
place; this is the last reunion of its kind before Prague.
Its
results will prove paramount for the final debates, due to take place in the
capitals of NATO allies.
The
action plan debated and endorsed by the Government and by the Superior Council
for National Defense is in full agreement with the objectives of the Yearly NATO
Membership Action Plan and provides measures for issues which have not still
been addressed.
By
implementing this set of measures within the deadlines established by the Plan,
we wish to record visible progress until the decisive moments for the assessment
of our application: the NATO ministers reunion in Reykjavik in May and the NATO
summit in Prague.
The
priority action plan for Romania’s NATO membership contains seven chapters and
will be monitored on a daily and weekly basis, with two relevant timeframes: May
and September. Actions are set on a short and medium term, with clear
responsibilities set for each ministry or central administrative body.
The
Plan emphasizes Romania’s commitment to solving all issues prior to the Prague
Summit, anticipating what NATO expects from Romania.
I
will now present before the plenum of the Parliament the key actions of the
Government for Romania’s NATO membership
From
the very beginning I wish to inform the Parliament that the restructuring and
reform process of the Romanian Armed Forces is unfolding according to the
objectives jointly set by NATO and by Romanian national documents regulating
actions in the field of national security and defense, as follows: The National
Security Strategy, The Government White Paper and the Military Strategy.
The
Romanian Government is fully convinced that NATO expects that applicant
countries should generate real and effective military capabilities in order to
cover both national security needs and an effective contribution to the military
structure of the Alliance, enhancing NATO peace-keeping efforts in South-Eastern
Europe. As a consequence, Romania’s main objective is to build a modern,
credible and structured military, well trained and equipped, capable of
efficient action side by side with NATO forces. Within this framework, the
Government guaranteed 2,38% of the GDP as yearly contribution to the defense
budget from 2002 to 2005.
Our
participation to the Membership Action Plan initiative led, through realistic
planning, to outstanding results in the reform process. This process is
irreversible and will be pursued irrespective of the decision of the Prague
summit.
Among
our most recent results, we can mention: downsizing peace and war forces;
implementing a western management system for careers within the military;
enhancing the command and control system; establishing a NATO compatible
military radio system; insuring the functioning of the Operational Center for
Air Surveillance; implementing the Planning, Programming, Budget and Assessment
System.
Within
the reform process, one of the main objectives is aimed at enhancing our
capacity to act side by side with NATO forces in crisis-management operations.
We have also improved air and sea transport capacities in order to deploy our
forces into the combat area; the Military Communication Network (STAR) is
currently implemented. Four cargo airports, three air operations support
airports and two seaports with the necessary port and sea logistics have been
put at the disposal of allied troops for transit to the Balkan area.
The
present military structure is established through the document “Force Program
2003” according to which the military are organized in accordance with the
missions and the security risks they have to deal with. Since 1989, war armed
forces have been downsized from 850,000 to 230,000 and peace armed forces have
been cut down from 319,000 to 140,000.
We
are currently implementing the pyramidal personnel structure through the new
Guide of the Military Career, providing different time spans for careers, direct
and indirect military career channels, as well as adequate training. The main
objective is to assign personnel in accordance with the principle of competence
and of correlating the military degree with the position, at the appropriate
moment in the military career.
In
order to respond to future demand, special care was paid to non-commissioned
officers (NCO) training. In this connection the Pitesti NCO Training Center has
been established with the support of the US Marines.
In
the field of personnel training, special heed was paid to English teaching and
special training, using training facilities from NATO schools, as well as from
Romania. We must emphasize the support of the USA in establishing the Defense
Resources Management Center in Brasov and the support of Great Britain in
establishing the Regional Training for PfP Training in Bucharest.
The
preliminary assessment for the approximation of existing plans with new security
demands and existing resources has been completed. This paper, the “Project
Force”, spans beyond 2003 – on a NATO-type 6 years planning period - in
order to enhance operational and training capabilities.
The
transition from the Force Program 2003 to the Project Force must be considered
as an organic evolution to a suppler, stronger force, financially affordable and
NATO interoperable.
Force
Project will be substantially smaller than Force Project 2003. As the force will
be downsized, on a medium term to 90,000 (75,000 military and 15,000 civilians),
substantial resource savings will become possible, especially by cutting down
territorial, reserve and infrastructure forces.
Resulting
resources will be used to train and modernize the force in order to enhance its
effectiveness.
Following
the approval of the Parliament, Romania, as a supplier of security in the Balkan
area is committed, among others, to increase its participation in SFOR and KFOR.
The total of personnel participating in peacekeeping operations within SFOR and
KFOR has been increased to 335. At the end of February 2002 a 115 troop,
Gendarmerie unit has been deployed in Kosovo under the auspices of the UN
Mission, thus contributing to a swift transition to normality in the area.
A
Romanian force, consisting of one military police platoon, 3 liaison officers
and a cargo airplane takes part in the International Assistance and Security
Force in Afghanistan.
Romania
has contributed to the international antiterrorist coalition within the
operation “Enduring Freedom” with an infantry battalion (400 troops), an NBC
company (76 troops) and medical personnel (14 troops).
Regional
cooperation is also one of our preoccupations. Romania takes part in the
following initiatives: The Reunions of Defense Ministers in South-Eastern
Europe; the Multinational Peace Force in South-Eastern Europe / the
Multinational Brigade in South-Eastern Europe; the Multinational Stand-by
Brigade for UN operations; the Black Sea Naval Force Group; The Mixed
Romanian-Hungarian Peacekeeping Battalion; The Multinational Engineering
Battalion (Tisa); the Cooperation of central European States to the Support of
Peace.
Within
multinational cooperation initiatives, Romania has initiated and supported a new
project regarding “The fight against terrorism, mass-destruction weapons
proliferation and for increased border control”.
The
positive results of the recent Bucharest meeting of the Vilnius Group Prime
Ministers – the Spring of New Allies – circumscribe to the same favorable
perspective.
The
meeting was attended by all Prime Ministers of the 10 applicant countries, and
also by the President of Poland and by NATO allies’ high officials. Prime
figures of the international political stage – President George Bush,
President Havel, Prime Ministers Toni Blair and Silvio Berlusconi, NATO
Secretary General Lord Robertson – addressed messages of encouragement and
support.
What
was the contribution of the Bucharest reunion?
First,
it reasserted the worth of a robust NATO enlargement, from the Baltic to the
Black Sea.
Secondly,
the reunion stressed the importance of the southern flank of NATO enlargement,
as part of a powerful and geographically balanced enlargement, capable to
consolidate the Alliance.
Thirdly,
the Bucharest summit has stressed the contributions of the new European
democracies in reaching NATO objectives, particularly in the new international
context subsequent to September 11.
Fourthly,
the reunion substantially enhanced the visibility and the credibility of Romania
as a NATO applicant, which can act as a pillar of stability in our region of
Europe.
“The
Spring of New Allies” represented a cornerstone, both in consolidating the
project of an ample enlargement at the Prague Summit, which to include Romania
and in enhancing the image of our country abroad, especially among NATO allies.
Actions
taken so far in the military reform process are to be followed by a new set of
measures aimed at:
Preparing
forces for collective defense missions; these forces are to be increased
gradually, so that at the end of 2003 they should include: a mechanized brigade;
a mountain hunters battalion; an airborne company; 12 airplanes; a frigate; an
EOD/SEAL team and 4 artillery vessels;
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Participating
in peacekeeping operations, in order to develop deployment capacities able
to support over 1000 troops;
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Creating
a modern NCO core as a fundamental element of the military;
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Increasing
the number of English speaking personnel to be assigned to political and
military structures of NATO;
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The
reform of the military training system; the National Defense University is
to be established in 2003;
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Managing
the airspace; by 2004 we must be able to provide an integrated, regionally
acknowledged, airspace image connected to the NATO airspace surveillance
system;
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Implementing
the Communication and Information System; as an immediate objective, all
units assigned to peacekeeping operations will be fully equipped with NATO
compatible radio units.
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II.
Concerning the economic reform
Romania’s
staunch commitment to the values of the European democracy, to politic pluralism
and to the rule of is now for the first time supported by encouraging economic
and foreign policy results.
Significant
economic growth, lower risk ratings for Romania as well as an improved access to
foreign capital markets are now a fact. All these have contributed to the
decision of the International Monetary Fund to approve the stand-by agreement
with Romania. I personally believe that it is for the first time that Romania
can cope with the rigors and the requirements of an agreement reached with the
most important international financial institutions, a clear indication of our
renewed credibility abroad.
The
economical growth, amounting to 5.3% in 2001 confirms the results of the reform
process; the positive trends and a transparent reform process are favorable
premises for the completion of objectives within the Governing Program for
2002-2004, endorsed by the Parliament.
Nonetheless,
we must acknowledge the fact that we have recorded delays in the privatization
process, especially in what concerns public utilities, that the business
environment is not entirely attractive, inflation, although declining, is still
at a rather high level while the financial deadlock still plagues the economy.
This is why the Government is decided to intensify the implementation of
adequate policies and measures aimed at generating significant improvements in
these fields, taking action to enhance the transparency of the economic reform
process, Surveys performed with the support of the World Bank and of the
European Union, as well as suggestions from the business environments allowed
the completion of an action plan aimed at removing administrative barriers
within the business environment. We have thus identified problems confronting
the Business Community in Romania and we have provided the following measures:
First,
legal measures: insuring the necessary legal framework in order to enhance the
business environment; providing the obligation of ministries to consult
employers associations in all governmental decisions.
Secondly,
institutional measures: establishing the Romanian Investments Agency, as the
sole institution promoting FDI in Romania; establishing a permanent
inter-ministries work group in order to identify the problems of the business
environment and to come up with immediate solutions.
Thirdly,
implementation measures: implementing the Unique Code for all companies;
creating a comprehensive data base of all employers and business associations;
initiating a campaign to inform the public in order to promote governmental
decisions with immediate impact on the business environment;
The
still high inflation rate and the necessity to lower it represent an priority
for the Romanian Government. To this end, the Executive and the National Bank of
Romania, along with their social partners have initiated a complex program to
diminish financial deadlock and to lower inflation.
Measures
in this program, as well as those in the Governing Program for 2002-2003 are
aimed mainly at: implementing a series of macroeconomic policies which to insure
durable economic growth and, on this basis to reduce inflationist anticipations;
maintaining a cautious monetary policy; strengthening financial discipline and
reducing financial deadlock.
These
measures are to be implemented and monitored both in 2002 and in the following
years, in order to gradually reduce inflation from 22% (Dec./Dec.) in 2002 to 9%
in 2004.
The
first results became visible at the beginning of 2002 when inflation rates for
the first quarter were lower than anticipated: 2.3% in January, 1.2% in February
and 0.4% in March.
Thus,
given the fact that there is no reason to expect price increases surpassing
anticipations for the next months, the level of inflation will be lower than
anticipated, leading to a possible annual inflation rate below 22%.
Romania’s
evolution on a positive trend of the economic cycle allowed us to project for
2002 a budget deficit amounting to 3% of the GDP, a figure within the boundaries
set by the medium term fiscal sustainability objective and by the Action Plan
and Governing Plan for 2002 and 2003.
The
anticipated 3% of the GDP budget deficit is considered realistic, and will be
reached by:
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Enhancing
tax collection, by approximating fiscal administration to European
standards;
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Insuring
a more proper management for budget expenses, which are to be established
in accordance with sector priorities set by credit managers and sized in
accordance with existing revenues. We are fully convinced that the
projected budget deficit will not trigger any fiscal readjustment and will
not raise any particular difficulty in enhancing the competitiveness of
the economy and in the implementation of structural changes in budget
expenses as follows:
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Lowering
the weight of interest expenses, following the reduction in interest rates
within the economy and the improvement of the public debt and treasury
management;
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Lowering
the weight of personnel expenses, by permanently monitoring the number of
employees and wages increases;
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Diminishing
supplies and services expenses by implementing strict norms for all public
authorities and institutions;
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Increasing
transfers oriented towards further support for social actions, for
economic activities as well as in order to insure non-reimbursable
co-financing from the European Union.
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Budget
deficit will be financed from foreign markets to a reasonable extent; the rest
is to be financed from internal sources in order to maintain a sustainable level
of Romania’s foreign debt.
Nowadays,
organized crime, lack of legality and extremist actions are as many afflictions
menacing stability. Poverty and the absence of any credible chance to a decent
life in many of the communities in the Western Balkans and in Eastern Europe
represent the burden of the transition years from dictatorship to democracy,
from war to cooperation.
In
order to synchronize ourselves to the European pace of development, we need
laws; we need the rule of law, seriousness in our commitments, the skill to
negotiate for the greater good of our citizens and perseverance in pursuing our
objectives.
This
is why organized crime must not be tolerated, under any guise.
This
is why the administration reform is a priority.
This
is why privatization and a transparent market economy are prerequisites to speed
up Romania’s integration.
Any
effective foreign policy needs to be supported by a coherent and bold internal
policy, in the service of any and all citizens. This is why corruption is our
archenemy, which must be defeated through efforts at a national level.
The
Romanian experience, as well as that of all other central and east European
states proved that corruption is a threat to democracy and the rule of law,
plaguing the effectiveness and the stability of the state institutions, as well
as the transition to a healthy market economy.
During
this transition period, corruption cannot be denied; at the same time, nobody
can claim that it is generalized or institutionalized.
Taking
into account that corruption represents a system dysfunction, harming the
legislative framework, the institutional system and inter-human relations, in
examining the ways to fight and prevent corruption, we have attempted to
identify causes both for the large and petty corruption.
Keeping
in mind the necessity for a unitary and coherent approach in preventing
corruption, the Romanian Government devised The National Program for Corruption
Prevention and The National Anticorruption Action Plan, both passed in November
2001, following public debate and consultations with political parties, labor
unions, NGO’s and media.
The
task of coordinating and surveying actions aimed at implementing the two sets of
measures falls upon the National Committee for Crime Prevention, established
through a Government Decision.
At
the same time we have taken measures in order to: enhance the role of the
Supreme Magistrates Council, to supplement the syllabus of the National
Magistrature Institute, to build an objective file management system. To this
end, we have passed the Deontological Code for Magistrates, the Statute of
Customs Personnel and the Conduct and Discipline Code for Customs Personnel.
Electronic
acquisition, available through the Internet sets the prerequisites for a higher
effectiveness and transparency of the public acquisition process.
In
order to fight corruption within the legal system, prosecutors' offices, police,
public finance and customs, the necessary legal procedures have already been
initiated.
Within
this general framework, The Action Plan provides the consolidation of the
institutional anticorruption capacity, and the increase of the authority and
responsibility of the relevant state institutions – Police, Prosecutor’s
Office, Judiciary – in enforcing Romania’s laws in order to curb and to
prevent lawbreaking. At the same time, the Government has established the
National Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office; a body exclusively intended to
fight corruption.
At
the same time, we have provided, as priority measures:
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The
reform of judiciary, at an accelerated pace;
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Debating
and passing through the Parliament the Law concerning public wealth
declaration, which to provide the access of the public to information as
well as punitive measures, along with the Law on interests conflicts, so
that government officials do not engage in any sort of business while in
office;
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Implementing
pilot-projects for random legal cases assignment;
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Submitting
the Conduct Code for Public Servants to public debate;
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Implementing
a new Law regulating political parties financing;
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Completing
the revisions to the Penal Code.
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I
strongly believe that taking firm and uncompromising action to fight corruption,
as of this very moment, represents a proof of national dignity.
This
is also an appeal to all of Romania’s citizens, to all political forces, to
the civil society, to the media: we must prove that we are an able and united
nation, we must show intransigence towards any act of corruption, regardless of
the status of the individuals involved.
We
pledge that we shall not tolerate that our opportunities to fulfill Romania's
fundamental objectives be shattered by those not willing to take on their
citizen responsibilities, by those who break the Law.
We
are so close to reaching the vital interests of Romania’s citizens – EU and
NATO membership – that we have no more room for the interests of the corrupt!
The
Government anticorruption action is not dictated by conjuncture or by demands
from abroad. This is why clearing the institutional, administrative and business
environment of Romania from any illegalities or corruption is and shall always
be an absolute priority for our Government.
IV.
Concerning the securing of information and intelligence services
In
these fields, our fundamental objectives are to harmonize the protection of
classified information with NATO standards in the field and to complete the
reform of the intelligence services in order to render them totally compatible
with those of NATO allies.
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Among
actions already initiated in this field, I wish to mention:
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Initiating
cooperation between special services in Romania and those in partner
countries;
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Enforcing
the democratic control of parliamentary commissions on the activity of
special services;
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Adapting
organization and functional structures to the current and predictable
developments on the international security environment.
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In
the same line, actions planned for the following months are aimed mainly at:
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Strengthening
the confidence of the public in what concerns the role and the activity of
special services, through seminars, panels and debates involving
representatives of the civil society;
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Maintaining
constant connections with the media in order to promote the real image of
the activity of special services;
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Devising
domestic instructions and norms for the protection of classified
information as well as drawing up all Laws subsequent to the Law on the
protection of classified information;
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Devising
unique procedures for industrial security;
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Organizing
training sessions for security personnel and seminars on issues concerning
the protection of classified information;
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Continuing
and developing consultations with NATO concerning the electronic exchange
of classified information and take all necessary measures in the field;
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Continuing
to adapt the objectives, tasks and missions of the special services in
order to bring them in line with the standards of a democratic society;
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Striking
a balance between the principle of transparency in the activity of special
services and the protection of classified information;
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Implementing
monitoring procedures for Government officials in order to eliminate all
doubts concerning individuals who collaborated with the Communist-era ‘Securitate’.
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V.
Concerning the fight against human trafficking
Romania
fully shares the concern of the international community on illegal migration and
human trafficking, phenomena which tend to gain momentum on the entire
continent. There are certain factors hindering Romania’s efforts to fight
against human trafficking. Among these, we could quote the permanent instability
of the Yugoslav area, easy access across the borders of the former Soviet Union,
easy access to CIS visas, trafficking networks operating within the former
Soviet Union and the benevolent attitude of authorities of states neighboring
Romania in the east concerning trafficking networks.
Domestically,
we are confronted with a significant number of citizens from
migration-originating countries.
The
situation created by the increase in illegal migration and by its potential to
generate illegal business determined us to initiate and implement firm measures
to fight this state of facts. To this end we have passed the Law on preventing
and curbing human trafficking, the National Action Plan for the prevention of
human trafficking and the Government
Ordinance
concerning punishments for offences perpetrated abroad by Romanian citizens or
stateless individuals living in Romania.
The
National Action Plan for the prevention of human trafficking provides diverse
measures aimed at:
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Informing
and rendering the public aware of the danger and forms of manifestation of
human trafficking;
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Enhancing
the economical and social status of individuals possible subjects to
trafficking;
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Devising
a communication strategy aimed at preventing human trafficking;
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Repatriating,
supporting and reintegrating individuals subjected to trafficking;
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Protecting
the victims of human trafficking;
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International
cooperation at a regional level with the European Union, with applicant
countries and with all countries involved in the prevention of this
phenomenon.
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On
this basis, we have identified the causes of the victims’ vulnerability, as
well as the legislative gaps and the difficulties confronting public
institutions involved in the protection of high-risk social categories.
The
Romanian approach to this issue is based on the principle that the fight against
this sort of offence should be focused first on fighting its causes and then its
effects. We have initiated a campaign to warn high-risk categories.
The
Government has taken measures, through its specialized bodies, in order to
capture and annihilate human trafficking and illegal migration networks.
Data
gathering police units, along with the special organized crime and narcotics
unit have been strengthened. At an operational level, the activity is centered
on exposing trafficking conducted under cover-up, as tourism or modeling
agencies. To this end we have established a Trilateral Center – Romania,
Ukraine, Moldova – for information exchange concerning transnational crime,
with special emphasis on illegal migration and human trafficking.
An
important element in the fight against human trafficking, tackled within the
National Action Plan is the training of law-enforcing personnel. Special
training programs have been devised for the police, magistrates, prosecutors,
attorneys, consuls, and diplomats and customs personnel. These programs are
focused on procedures to fight human trafficking, and especially women and
children trafficking, and on cooperation procedures between all relevant bodies.
All
these efforts cannot prove effective without an enhanced border management. In
2001 Romania amended the legislation concerning its borders.
The
new provisions concerning the regime of the state border, the organization and
the functioning of the Border Police are in full agreement with European
standards in the matter. The Government has allotted 22 million euros for
equipment and for a new computerized monitoring system.
Special
stress is laid upon prevention measures initiated by the central and local
public administration.
We
have also continued efforts to keep children in schools and to prevent children
exploitation. As of the 1st of March 2002, a two-year program called the
National Action to prevent minors’ exploitation in Romania has been initiated
with the support of the US Government within the International Program to
prevent minors’ exploitation initiated by the International Labor
Organization. The main purpose of this program is to supply technical and
financial support in order to prevent and to eliminate minors’ exploitation,
both in rural and urban areas, to strengthen the capacity of NGO’s and of
governmental bodies to fight school relinquishing and to enhance the degree of
social inclusion, especially for underprivileged groups or social categories.
Among
the key actions for Romania’s NATO membership in this field we have
concentrated on:
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Strengthening
the administrative capacity to fight human trafficking and to promote
inter-ministries cooperation in the field;
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Updating
the legislative framework by passing a series of Laws concerning witness
protection and the fight against organized crime;
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Enhancing
assistance and support for human trafficking victims by establishing
shelters in Bucharest, Pitesti and the west of the country;
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Developing
a national system for the prevention of human trafficking.
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VI.
Concerning children rights
The
respect for children rights represents a national priority for Romania.
The
policy of the Romanian Government in the field of the protection of children in
distress, both in general and during adoption is provided within the
Governmental Strategy for 2001-2004 concerning the protection of children in
distress.
Adoptions,
domestic or international serve the greater good of children and represent the
only permanent special protection measure, capable of providing children with
the family environment, paramount to their growth and development.
The
Romanian Government will promote adoptions according to the principle “a
family for each child” instead of “a child for each family”, as a special
children protection measure; special stress will be laid upon encouraging
domestic adoptions.
Domestic
adoption will attempt to keep adopted children within a familiar linguistic and
social environment. International adoptions will only be considered as the very
last protection means, after all other domestic options have proven
unsuccessful.
Following
numerous critics from the international community concerning the international
adoptions system in Romania, the Government decided to enforce a moratorium,
freezing all procedures connected to adoptions of Romanian children by foreign
individuals or families.
In
accordance with the Key measures for Romania’s NATO membership, The Cabinet
and the Parliament must devise and pass a unitary and coherent set of Laws
regulating child protection, concerning mainly:
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The
legal adoption regime;
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Preventing
and declaring abandonment;
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Organizing
and financing the Romanian Adoption Authority;
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Organizing
and financing the National Authority for the Protection of Children
Rights;
|
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The
rights and the obligations of children in state care when they come of
age;
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Organizing
and functioning the child protection system;
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Amending
articles in the Penal Code concerning improper and harmful treatment
towards children;
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Establishing
the Office of the Child and Family Attorney within the Ombudsman’s
Office.
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At
the same time we will identify exceptional adoptions applications, demanded by
the child’s greater good and we shall develop the institutional and
administrative capacity to implement adoption legislation at a national and
local level.
VII.
Concerning the actions in the field of minorities' rights protection and actions
to eliminate all forms of discrimination
The
democratic framework for the functioning of the Romanian society must insure
that all form of discrimination is banished and that the mentality and the
attitude of the average Romanian citizen are interwoven with the Western spirit,
free from any prejudice that may originate in the past. From this perspective,
we wish to emphasize the open and tolerant spirit of our people, supporting
interethnic harmony.
I
wish to emphasize once more that these initiatives of the Government are not the
result of a mere conjuncture. They express our conviction that by making peace
with the past we will be able to cope with the realities of the future. We must
free ourselves from any prejudice, fully aware of our authentic national
identity, based on the utmost respect for all human values.
Nonetheless,
it is equally important to scrutinize the past, to acknowledge its mistake, to
draw the necessary lessons and to convey them to the next generation, in order
to build a stronger Romania, capable of resisting the forces of intolerance and
to fight all aggression to the system of values we believe in.
Through
the legislation and the measures in the filed of minority language teaching, in
preserving cultural identity and in the functioning of local administration,
Romania has already become a model at an European level concerning the
management of inter-ethnic and intercultural relations. We strongly believe that
the functioning of a tolerance and harmony-based society has a certain future in
Romania.
The
main actions envisaged by the Government are as follows:
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Implementing
the Law forbidding all fascist organizations, all fascist, racist or
xenophobe symbols and the promotion of the cult of any individual found
guilty of crimes against peace and mankind;
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Passing
a Law protecting all funeral monuments, ensembles or sites;
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Dismantling
all monuments erected in the memory of marshal Ion Antonescu in public
places and changing the names of streets, parks and public places named
after marshal Antonescu;
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Completing
the establishment of Romania’s National Council for the Fight against
Discrimination;
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Acknowledging,
in accordance with the Treaty signed by the Romanian and US Governments,
all facilities needing protection or restoration and taking al necessary
measures thereof;
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Devising
draft Laws to solve as many cases of property restitution as possible, in
agreement with Romania’s legal system;
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Taking
necessary measures to implement the National Strategy for the Improvement
of the Rroma Population Status.
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Through
such concrete measures, our identity as NATO allies will guarantee our rightful
place among the most advanced states of the world.
In
the process of Romania’s joining NATO, the Parliament, as the legislative
power plays an paramount role in creating the legislative framework and in
harmonizing it with the norms of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Thus,
the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate have passed extremely important Laws,
such as:
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The
Law on classified information;
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The
Law for the ratification of the Civil Convention on corruption;
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The
Law for the amending of the Penal Code, of the Code of Penal Procedure and
of other specialized Law;
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The
Law on the organization and functioning of the Romanian Police Forces.
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A
series of draft Laws are currently subject to parliamentary procedures; these
Laws are meant to amend the legislative framework and I urge you to analyze them
so that they can be passed during this very parliamentary session.
I
make particular reference at:
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The
draft Law for the amending of Law no. 115/1996 concerning the wealth
declaration and survey for state officials, magistrates, public servants
and other individuals in leading positions;
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The
draft Law on the financing of the activity of political parties and
electoral campaigns;
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The
draft Law on the status of police personnel.
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This
Declaration represents the concrete expression of our fight to defend and
promote Romania’s national interests. Through this declaration, the Government
wishes to assure you that we will promote a realist and pragmatic policy, aimed
at providing for Romania’s national needs and at reflecting all international
changes.
We
all must be fully convinced that the ideal of Euro-Atlantic integration is not a
simple invention of politicians or analysts; it represents the wish of the
entire Romanian people. At the same time, the fulfillment of this ideal must
mobilize the entire Romanian society.
We
must remain together unite in our convictions and actions, so that the Prague
Summit should mark the end of a road for Romania and the beginning of a new and
better journey!
In
the end, I wish to address you, urging you that, following the debates of this
meeting, you adopt a Message to all the Parliaments of the 19 NATO allies to
support Romania’s application to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.