Media and Civil Society Perceptions -
The Romanian Center for European Polices (CRPE) and the Academic Society of Romania (SAR) released a study that aims to evaluate the effectiveness and performance of the Mechanism for Cooperation and Verification (MCV) in the area of justice agreed upon by the European Union and Romania, analyzing the factors that have facilitated the acceptance and implementation of EU conditions.
This report is the second in a series of four that analyze the proposed topic. To obtain an analysis as well-documented and systematic as possible, we chose to conduct a poll of the opinions of experts in the domain, using a questionnaire structured around the objectives set by the MCV and covered in the monitoring reports.
Some of the research results, as apparent from the responses:
- None of the four benchmarks of the MCV is considered to be fulfilled. The biggest failure is recorded in the objective of "Ensure[ing] a more transparent, and efficient judicial process notably by enhancing the capacity and accountability of the Superior Council of Magistracy”. 91% of respondents say that this objective was not achieved.
EU – Moldova negotiations
What is to be discussed, what could be achieved?
“We recognize that giving people hope without a clear membership perspective is difficult” stated Mr. Graham Watson, Rapporteur of the EU – Moldova Association Agreement during today’s conference on key priorities of the EU – Moldova agenda.
The conference organized today in Brussels by the Romanian Center for European Policies (CRPE), the Foreign Policy Association (APE) of Moldova and Moldovan Mission to the EU enjoyed the participation of Mr. Watson, members of the negotiation team of the the Republic of Moldova, other members of the European Parliament, Commission officials and expert from Brussels based EU think-tanks.
Mr. Watson encouraged the Moldovan officials and considered that `the membership perspective for Republic of Moldova is not a taboo subject in Brussels`. On the contrary, Mr. Watson continued, we `will discuss the subject if Moldova would be prepared. There is no example of a European country willing to join the EU and prepared to do so that was refused`.
Learn to live with the Bear at your door. Romania and European energy security
The Romanian Center for European Policies released today the memo “Learn to live with the Bear at your door” - Romania and European energy security.
The report examines different aspects of Europe’s energy security and presents Romania as a case study.
According to the report, Europe's energy dependence will increase until 2030. EU countries will consume by then 11% more energy compared to the reference year 2005. At the same time, Europe’s domestic production will steadily decline. EU’s import dependency will increase by 2030, mostly for oil - 95% of which will be imported, followed by gas with 84% (compared with 58% currently).
Romania
Romania’s dependence on imported energy is lower than the EU-27 average: 54% for oil compared with the European average of 83% and 42% for gas to the European average of 58%.
Alternatives
The report analyzes various European projects aimed at diversifying energy sources and transport routes. Most importantly, the Nabucco project faces an important test: 2010 will be a crucial year. The final investment decision needs to be taken until the end of this year. It is not too late for Russia to intervene decisively and reverse a decision of an EU Member State (or at least make it delay the necessary steps for the project implementation) or to make an offer that can’t be refused by Azerbaijan (which would block the start of the project).
Are we on schedule?
2010: The first balance – The use of Structural Funds
The report is available only in Romanian
With almost 600 million Euros spent out of 5.6 billion Euros available from the European Union for the period 2007-2009, Romania didn’t perform too well in attracting structural funds.
Furthermore, the performance appears to be even lower given that the European Union has paid Romania about 2 billion Euros in advance to ensure the start-up of programs/projects. Clearly, the vast majority of this money has not yet been used, as this depends on an increase in the pace of approval, contracting and implementation of projects.
This pace is still slow, the main reasons being bureaucratic ballast, inadequate staffing of relevant authorities and a shortage of independent evaluators. Over all these, the economic crisis has also impeded the applicants and has challenged theirs and the authorities ability to adapt and find solutions.
A series of improvements and simplifications of the procedures were made and these are analyzed in this report. However, they are not enough to make a significant difference in the dynamics of project approval and reimbursement.
The European Union is adapting to the Lisbon Treaty
The priorities of the Spanish Presidency and the interests of Romania
We are continuing our series of reviews about European politics and policies with a new report on the short term priorities of the European Union. CRPE’s experts analyze the priorities of the Spanish Presidency in the new European institutional framework created by the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon.
The report presents the plans of the Spanish government and the ways in which Romania may relate to them. CRPE’s analysis underlines the fact that the Spanish presidency will create important precedents: because the treaty is vague on some points, a clearer division of the tasks between the new position of President of the European Council and the rotating presidency should emerge in practice in the following months. In what concerns the new structure of the European Commission, the report notes an increase in the number of Commissioners dealing with external issues that occurs simultaneously with the arrival of the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Another change in the composition of the Commission, the merger between Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy portfolios, may be a good signal for Eastern countries, including Moldova, a country of interest to Romania. However, the report argues, it would have been preferable to make a clearer distinction between the Eastern area (“European neighbors") and north Africa and Middle East (“neighbors of Europe").
Let's be reasonable
– Romania and EU`s Climate Change targets –
Read the report in pdf format
As global negotiations take place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and governments agree to costly commitments and seek opportunities, Romania has to become a serious, credible player. On one hand, Romania has to meet in the upcoming years its obligations as EU member, obligations which will cost both money and efforts to build consistent policies that help reduce GHG emissions in several sectors. On the other hand, depending on how we negotiate our position in the EU, we could obtain funding for investments in energy and other sectors: an opportunity which would allow us not only to reduce emissions, but also to produce more competitive energy.
This report examines Romania’s position in the global debate and reaches two main conclusions: we must be more modest and yet pragmatic abroad, and we must meet our existing obligations with the help of consistent policies at home.
Where does the missile shield come from and who does it defend us from
How the shield protects us from what the Russians don’t have and doesn’t protect us from what they have
The report is available only in Romanian
CRPE launches a policy brief about the debate surrounding the planned missile shield to be installed in Romania. The report provides the relevant historical context of the development of this technology and dispels some of the myths and erroneous information present in the public debate.
The post-Cold War world has seen the proliferation of threats coming from pariah states like Iran or North Korea. Unwilling to accept a nuclear threat from these countries, the United States is trying to develop a defense system to cancel it.
