Letter from Mr Alexandru Farcas

Sir,

I feel compelled to react to Judy Dempsey's article "Reform failure threatens Romania's EU plans" (February 19) concerning the report on Romania adopted by the foreign affairs committee of the European parliament.

The report does not "throw into doubt" Romania's plan to join the European Union by 2007. By stressing the need to align national legislation to the EU acquis and consolidate the rule of law, the report is aimed at strengthening Romania's pre-paration for EU membership by 2007. The Romanian government devotes its full energy to implementing reforms in the complex domains mentioned in the report. It vigorously pushes for reforms aimed at strengthening the independence of the judiciary, protecting human rights and guaranteeing the freedom of the press, to name but a few.

Strong efforts to reform the judicial system are currently being made. A national reform strategy and action plan have recently been worked out. The focus is now on adopting and implementing the measures these documents call for. Pending laws will, for instance, either eliminate or transfer to the Superior Council of Magistracy - an independent institution - important functions previously held by the minister of justice, such as proposing promotions or transfers of judges or recommending appointments of judges and prosecutors.

Steps have been taken to establish an efficient system for examining complaints of police misconduct, including ill-treatment at police stations. A national centre for the handling and management of complaints against the police has been set up. In addition, police authorities regularly inform the Council of Europe's committee for the prevention of torture and punishments about conditions at police stations.

The Romanian Press Club praised the recent removal of jail sentences for calumny and insult by way of press from the penal code. The president and prime minister of Romania repeatedly and strongly condemned any form of violence directed at the press and urged police authorities to apprehend those involved in aggression against journalists. Aggressors have been taken into custody and, if their involvement is confirmed, will be put on trial.

As these examples show, despite considerable progress there certainly remains a lot to be done. Romania did start implementing reforms later than other candidate countries. Nevertheless, the government, the political parties and the Romanian people are all strongly committed to continuing the process of reform in order to fulfil all accession criteria and see our country join the enlarged European family by 2007.