Romanian businessman Ion Tiriac has denied any connection with the contract the Romanian state has signed with EADS, adding that he never had any personal or business interest, directly or indirectly, and did not attend any activity, meeting or discussion on this topic, reports local Mediafax.

Tiriac’s statement comes after his name appeared in a new corruption case regarding the contract between the Romanian state and EADS, a company selected to help Romania secure its borders with a new integrated system for border security.

“In the same context, as Romanian and friend, I apologize to His Excellency, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, for the inclusion of his name in this story with a hint of Balkan conspiracy, and I thank him again for the support offered to Romania at its accession to the European Union,” added Tiriac.

An article published recently in the German edition of Huffington Post, reported that the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) is investigating former Romanian ministers involved in closing the deal with EADS to secure Romania’s borders.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com