PERMANENT MISSION OF ROMANIA TO THE OSCE Seilerstatte 17/3. St./Top10-11, 1010 Vienna Telephone: 512 85 66 Fax: 512 90 57

Statement by Romania
Delivered by Ambassador Liviu Bota
to the 447th meeting of the Permanent Council, 10 April 2003

We warmly welcome the presence of Mr. Soros before the Permanent Council and have listened keenly to his statement. My delegation joined the statement made by the European Union. Nevertheless I would like to add few comments in my national capacity.

We share the general thrust of Mr. Soros's comprehensive overview. Our distinguished guest said that he was rather surprised at the need to mention Romania on his list. I was myself astonished that he felt such a need. May I add, Mr. Chairman, that this words come from a Representative of Romania who will not hesitate to agree with any criticism or to join the criticism of others vis-a-vis the authorities of his own country no matter the regime or the government in power, if such criticism is warranted. I have done it in the past as an individual and I will always do it because of my profound attachment to the cause of freedom, respect for human dignity and democratic values.
The issues raised by Mr. Soros are real and they have been extensively debated in Romania with the active participation of the press and the civil society. The legislative measures involved, some of which Mr. Soros referred to as being in draft form, have been already adopted. This was done only after the respective texts have been submitted for examination and comment by the Romanian authorities to European institutions and international organizations, including ODIHR and the OSCE Office on Freedom of the Media.

We would like to assure the distinguished audience of our profound conviction that freedom of expression and independent media are, beyond declarations and personal stands, essential components of any democratic, free and open society. The same proves true for Romania.
In view of fully complying with its international obligations, Romania has amended, with the assistance of the Council of Europe, its Criminal Code, decreasing penalties for defamation and libel. Before proceeding to these modifications, however, a comparative analysis was made with similar legislation being enacted in a number of 11 European Union and associated countries. The resulted Criminal Code stipulations are present in nine of the countries subject to study.

In our organization the issue was raised with us by Mr. Duve, the OSCE Representative on the Freedom of the Media. We have at all times collaborated with the Office of Mr. Duve and shall continue to do so. We believe we have done our best to keep the Office well informed about the realities in Romania in this field.
On the issue of freedom of assembly and freedom of association we would like to point out that the new law on political parties is expected to set the trend for a more mature political system based on democratic rules. The legal provisions requesting for a minimum number of founding members, although seemingly high, is not a violation of international standards. The law incorporates provisions for strengthening the capacity building for the political parties towards approaching solid perspectives and real chances to be represented in the Parliament.

As far as the issue of corruption in Romania is concerned, progress is continuing and recognized improvements have been achieved in the fight against this phenomenon. They were all the result of the hard work by the Government with the contribution of the civil society taking into account the recommendations of the international organizations and our foreign partners who know well these problems. The recent adoption of an Anti-corruption Legislative Package is an example of this on-going effort. I repeat, on-going effort.

Romania's commitments towards a democratic, pluralistic society, where the human rights are fully respected and promoted, cannot be questioned. We have pursued the goal of democracy built on the rule of law and respect for human rights on its own merit, but also with a view to anchoring ourselves once and for good in the European and Euro-Atlantic family.
I would like to tell Mr. Soros that I have and I am following with great interest, even enthusiasm, his activities aimed at consolidating the democratic processes in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe as well as in the new independent states. Mr. Soros, for me it is a privilege to have the opportunity to meet you in person. I avail myself of this opportunity to tell you that we regret the substantial diminishing of your activities developed under the auspices of Open Society in Romania. It is my earnest hope that in view of the interest you have shown for my country, these activities will resume at the level that we knew and highly valued.

Mr. Soros concluded by expressing his willingness to discuss at a greater length the issues raised by him. The authorities of Romania will be also pleased to do so.