The European Commission has recommended Romania to continue the fight against corruption on all levels, given that the independence and efficiency of the country's judicial system continue to be a concern in Brussels, according to the most recent country recommendations issued at an EU level.

Romania has received several specific recommendations, among which the fight against VAT fraud, cutting bribes in the health system, guidelines for minimum wage setting involving social partners, poverty reduction, and strengthening the public sector capacities, among others. The EC issued eight recommendations for Romania in this recent review.

The recommendations will be discussed by the EU leaders in June, and they should be adopted by the EU finance ministry council on July 8.

“This is about helping member states firmly out of the crisis and back to growth, with the country-specific recommendations acting as a compass showing the direction. The efforts and sacrifices made across Europe have started to pay off. Growth is picking up and - while still too modest - we will see a rise in employment from this year onwards,” EC President José Manuel Barroso has said.

The fundamental challenge for the EU now is political, and focuses on how to keep up support for reform as the pressure of the crisis recedes, he added. “If politicians show leadership and summon the political will to see reform through - even if it is unpopular - we can deliver a stronger recovery and a better standard of living for everyone."

The full list of recommendations for Romania is here.

editor@romania-insider.com