Mr. Calin Popescu – Tariceanu
 Good afternoon.
My colleagues Mrs. Monica Macovei and Mr. Vasile Blaga have also assisted to this meeting which represents an important moment regarding the preparation of the Monitoring Report of the European Commission, which will be published in the second half of May, more precisely on May 17th.
The Commissioner Franco Frattini wanted to get informed about the progress achieved in some key integration areas –Home Affairs and Justice. We have analyzed together the measures which have been already adopted to remove the red flags which appeared in the Monitoring Report of October last year.
The main points on today's discussions have been the measures taken to fight corruption, criminality and to assure borders' security, data protection, and other measures related to cross border cooperation with countries of the region.
I want to mention the fact that the progress achieved in the justice field, in the fight against corruption are due to the efforts which Minister of Justice Mrs. Monica Macovei has made and whom I want to particularly thank.
There has been achieved very important progress which has been appreciated by the peer review missions as well, related to borders' security. The Ministry of Administration and Interior is in charge to this field. These results could not be obtained without the special contribution of Minister Vasile Blaga , whom I want to thank too. Last week, we visited together the East border and we noticed the way these measures related to borders' security – measures necessary to contribute to the fight against the organized crime, and to prevent the trafficking in human beings, weapons or drugs, were implemented.
These measures are necessary not only from the perspective of the concern manifested by some of EU member states but also from the perspective of the protection of our own citizens.
Today, we have discussed in detail about the problems related to the fight against corruption, the measures which have been taken, measures included in the strategy for the fight against corruption, document approved and promoted by the Government last year and further included in the Action Plan which we established together.
These efforts have started bearing results. The National Anticorruption Department has become an efficient institution which works, free of the inhibitions which it had in the past. We can say we have taken important steps regarding the re- building of a judiciary independent of the political factor.
We are glad that this progress is appreciated as such. But, at the same time, I want to say that we still have work to do in this field. We have agreed that the partnership which we created between Government and Commission, a partnership based on an open cooperation, more sincerity and the non – hiding of truths or problems, to continue, even further to the Monitoring Report of May 2006.
By what we have achieved so far at the level of the Government, we wanted to demonstrate that Romania is able to fulfill its undertaken commitments. We wanted to demonstrate that Romania is able to behave according to European standards, as a genuine European country. The Decision on Romania 's accession on January 1st 2007 , will not be a decision based on certain reasons of political order but it will be a decision based on our capacity to fulfill the undertaken commitments.
It is the most important objective which we –as Government aim at and I believe that this preoccupation responds to an important extent to Romanians' expectations. Romanians want an efficient judiciary which can make justice and which they can trust. Romanians were affected and Romania as country was affected by corruption for a long time. We believe that this scourge must be removed. There is political will at the level of the Government to continue this step, which is necessary not only to obtain a good mark from EU, but for the Romanian society to enter normality and the Romania can truly be a state of the rule of law.
I hope that the May Report emphasis this progress and be a positive report. I want to underline my determination as well as my colleagues' determination who are involved in this step, Mrs. Monica Macovei , and Mr. Vasile Blaga , to continue in the same way and the same pace. In no way, will we reduce the commitment or the speed regarding our steps on integration. Thank you.
Mr. Franco Frattini
I would like to thank you Prime Minister. I had the pportunity to meet the President of Republic, the Prime Minister Mr. Tariceanu and both Justice Minister, Madam Macovei and the Interior Minister, Mr. Blaga . First of all, I repeat here my congratulations and appreciation for the results so far achieved in the areas of Justice and Security, thanks to the personal commitment of both Minister Blaga and Madam Minister Macovei .
The report will emphasize these positive results concerning, for example, security of external borders which become very soon external borders of Europe .
The other point I would like to stress with you is the improved professionality of the Security agencies and the police in general. And that turns to again the efforts made by Minister Blaga and his staff. The ministerial staff and my Commission's services in my area had a very continuous and fruitful cooperation and I think that this cooperation will and should continue after the Report of May, which I strongly wish it will be positive.
As concerns justice area, first of all, I again appreciate the improvement of capacities of local and appeal courts, concerning for example, the technological equipment which will be approved, thanks to a recent decision taken by Minister Macovei to improve exactly this equipment on the territory of Romania.
Our common goal is on the one hand to improve capacities of judges and prosecutors here in Romania and on the other hand to improve the public opinion trust towards magistrates which is a key for the success.
I have to tell you that again Madam Macovei is on the right track, way to achieve this goal. One final remark on corruption: first of all, I think that the Anticorruption Department is working well. And, it is very important to avoid, for examples, changing rules like revocation and appointment which are in place for 8 -9 months and should be implemented rather changed. And also is very important to make it possible continue on opening cases of corruption where there is the case, of course, but in a very transparent way. But, it is also important to accompany this system, this global approach against corruption by other measures.
I have stressed with the Prime Minister the importance of approving a bill concerning the financing of political parties. Prime Minister supported my suggestion on that, and that is very important.
When I was here, after my last visit to Bucharest , I said talking about my portfolio areas that I am optimistic, now I have to say that I am more than optimistic.
Reporter
Mr . Frattini , I would like to ask you, apart from the thanks you addressed to Government and congratulations, which are precisely the problems Romania faces because it is difficult for me to believe that we solved all problems, all those red flags which might appear in the country report which will be presented in May, and if the safeguard clause may be mentioned in the document I reminded you. Thank you .
Mr. Franco Frattini
The report will be published very soon and the peer review emphasized positive achievements and I highlighted the importance of continuing monitoring the situation, and taking stock of the progress made. So, I don't have red flags. I have to stress with you the importance of not abandoning, of making irreversible this process of reform. That's the key word: to make irreversible this process of reform, there should be a continuous cooperation as it was in the recent past.
Reporter
You mentioned in an interview to a Romanian daily today that the Commission is planning to impose more safeguards or monitoring instruments after the May Report, this means that if the Report is favorable to accession in 2007, Romania must still wait until December, to be assure whether it joins the EU in January?
Mr. Franco Frattini
Not at all. As I said, it seems to me extremely important to decide in May and to confirm decision at June's European Council. When I talk about monitoring, when I talk about accompanying Romania towards the membership, I mean to continue our cooperation in the spirit of real partnership, not to keep uncertainties, but to give concrete support as it was in the past.
Reporter
I would like to ask you whether you can provide me more details about the statement you gave in a daily today, according to which the Romanian MPs are playing with the fate of our country when it comes about refusing the search of the houses belonging to the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies ?
Mr. Franco Frattini
Exactly because, I cannot and I do not want interfere with the parliamentary activity which is a sign of the sovereignty of this country, I said that one very important part of the future of this country is in the hands of Parliament. I mean that the Government needs political support to achieve this very important package of reforms. It needs parliamentary and political support in order to deliver, in order to make irreversible again this package and this process of reform.
I have just mentioned the ideas some raised about the change of the system of appointment and revoking DNA, it would be in my view a mistake but I cannot interfere on a sovereign Parliament of course.
Reporter
Mr. Frattini , you have recently spoken in Parliament, that a hardening of the visas regime during the World Football Cup of Germany would be needed, to what countries have you referred to, and on what period, and why? Is it about Romania and Bulgaria too?
Mr. Franco Frattini
I talked about making a stricter control on visa delivery, during the period of time of football world cup, I did not talk about re-introducing, I talked about exploring with some third countries, not European or candidate European countries, not for Romania, not for Bulgaria, but, in general it seems to me important to make a stricter control in order to reduce this tragic phenomenon, that is forced prostitution, on the occasion of sports events. And I think all the consulates should cooperate on that, should make a deep examination of individual demands for application for visa.
Reporter
Mr Frattini , your comments have been positive so far, are there any areas which still need to be addressed?
Mr. Franco Frattini
Frankly speaking, I do not know in details other areas report and it seems to me that justice and home affairs area is one if not the most important key area for the Romanian membership. And if in that area, we have achieved so far huge progress, that's why, I am more than optimistic.
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European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security Franco Frattini payed an official visit to Bucharest and met Romanian President Traian Basescu and Prime Minister Calin Popescu – Tariceanu .