Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-12-15-Speech-3-216"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2004-12-15"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Romania's progress towards accession2
dcterms:Language	"de"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20041215.7.3-216"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2004-12-15-Speech-3-2172
lpv:speaker	lp:Jo Leinen2
lpv:spokenAs	member; Delegation for relations with the countries of South Asia and the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) (2004-09-15--2007-03-13)3 member; PES (2004-07-20--2009-07-13)3 unknown; Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (2004-07-20--2009-07-13)3 member; Conference of Committee Chairs (2004-07-28--2007-01-15)3 substitute; Delegation to the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (2004-09-15--2009-07-13)3 chair; AFCO (2004-07-22--2007-01-14)3 substitute; AFET (2004-07-21--2007-01-14)3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, in my view, last Sunday's presidential elections have indeed demonstrated that democracy in Romania is very vibrant and is also working well. This has not always been the case, and so we have every reason to be gratified. Let us hope that the dynamic forces which have now been released will genuinely be channelled into driving forward the reforms and that the political process in Bucharest will not be obstructed. All we can do is hope. I was a member of the Delegation to the EU-Romania Joint Parliamentary Committee from 1999 to 2004. If we compare 1999 and today, the country has obviously made substantial progress. Notwithstanding all the criticism in specific areas, it must be said that the previous government under Anastase achieved a great deal for Romania. Major progress has genuinely been made in many areas. However, we cannot ignore the fact that the Romanians still have a lot to do. Not enough has been done to achieve the standards that apply throughout the European Union. I can only repeat what many of my fellow Members have said: an independent judiciary – which means a judiciary which is independent of the executive and individual political forces – is in fact a prerequisite for Romania's cooperation within the EU. There is still some ground to be made up here. I also hope that corruption can be combated more effectively. Corruption is robbery at the expense of Romania's citizens, and the new President has pledged major anti-corruption measures which will hopefully target not only the 'small fry' but also the big fish. Corruption must be tackled irrespective of position or status, for it is theft from the Romanian people. In my view, it would be quite wrong for Romania or the EU to create new obstacles at this point in time. The negotiations should be concluded, and I would like to thank Mr Moscovici, the rapporteur, for presenting such an excellent report. 2007 must be the date when we welcome Romania into the European family, and thus integrate it into European standards as well."@en1

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