The reform approach has taken root in important sections of the Romanian society but there is no consensus about pursuing the objectives of the EU's cooperation and verification mechanism [CVM], the European Commission concluded in the report on the progress of judicial reforms and anticorruption, drafted under the post-accession CVM programme carried out in Romania.
Amid the mixed performance underlined by the report, a Commission spokesperson announced that a follow-up report would be drafted a year from now – against the typical semi-annual frequency of the reports so far. Meanwhile, a rather comprehensive set of recommendations is drafted.
Romania has made progress in many areas since the previous CVM report and the track record of the key judicial and integrity institutions has remained positive, the report acknowledges. The stabilisation of the political turmoil helped the legislative changes remaining on track.
However, concerns about the judicial independence remain and there are many examples of resistance to integrity and anti-corruption measures at political and administrative levels. And the report details on the controversial endorsement by the lawmakers in December of amendments to the criminal code.
The Commission recommends Romania a series of further steps to be taken towards completing the CVM goals. Among the recommendations:
Non-performing loans (NPLs) in central, eastern and south-eastern Europe (CESEE) fell to their lowest levels since the global financial crisis in 2024, but early indicators suggest rising risks ... more
The European Commission has approved Romania’s planned €200mn capital increase for state-owned CEC Bank, allowing the country to proceed with strengthening the lender’s financial position, ... more
Addiko Bank, an Austrian financial institution specialising in the consumer and SME sector operating in Central and South-Eastern Europe (CSE), is preparing to launch operations in Romania with the ... more