After recently being the target of heated debate in the European Parliament due to its hectic politics in the last couple of months, Romania seems to have received some positive feedback for a change, but so far only in private discussions. European Commission president José Manuel Barroso (in picture, right ) recently told Prime Minister Victor Ponta  (in picture, left), who was in Brussels, that the 11 commitments Romania made earlier this year had been addressed resolutely and fulfilled.

The Prime Minister told Romanian media about this discussion, saying he believes Barosso will send the same message in his press release after the meeting. The official statement however continues to underline the need for Romania to “promote all European values, the values of justice and freedom and all the features of a truly pluralistic society.” The EC president highlighted the importance of the upcoming key nominations for the posts of General Prosecutor and Chief Prosecutor of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate, which should be held in a "fair and transparent way.”

A new checkpoint is on the cards for Romania later on this year, when “The Commission will adopt a further report before the end of this year, to assess whether all its concerns have been addressed and the necessary democratic checks and balances have been restored.”

When asked by journalists whether Barosso has anything to reproach him with, the Romanian PM said : “No, not at all.”

Last week, the European Parliament debated on Romania's internal political issues. More about the debate here.

Earlier this year, president Barosso was saying Romania had shaken the trust of the EU and gave PM Ponta the famous '11 commandments’ – a list of demands on the rule of law requiring immediate resolution. More about it here.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: European Commission)