The Government of Romania approved, during Thursday's meeting, an update of the methodological norms regarding the implementation of international development cooperation and humanitarian assistance activities.
According to a press release sent to AGERPRES by the government, the updated methodological norms were approved through a decision that is part of Romania's efforts to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 'an important objective of Romanian foreign policy'.
'The approach to this field, which is also included in the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2021-2025, as well as the gradual alignment with OECD best practices, sends a positive signal internationally and contributes to strengthening the perception of Romania as a state that promotes high standards of integrity and transparency,' the press release reads.
Specifically, the section concerning the organisation's background has been supplemented with the obligation to declare the existence of a final criminal conviction or an ongoing criminal investigation for serious offences (corruption, fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, terrorism, organised crime, etc.). Existing questions have also been clarified and formalised, and a separate section has been introduced regarding the organisation's capacity to manage corruption risks.
'Obligations are introduced to declare any criminal convictions or criminal investigations for serious offences, existing questions are revised and clarified, a question is added regarding whether an external audit has been carried out in the past four years, and a separate section on corruption risk management is introduced. The beneficiary's responsibilities are also expanded through the introduction of requirements concerning the prevention and management of corruption risks, verification of implementing partners, consultation of exclusion lists, reporting suspicions of corruption and the establishment of internal sanctions. At the same time, provisions are introduced regarding the prohibition of illicit activities, the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, the suspension of funding and the expansion of situations that may lead to the repayment of the financial contribution,' says the same source.
These changes will help increase the accountability of all entities involved, improve the efficiency of the project evaluation and approval process, prevent corruption and align procedures with international best practices, thereby supporting Romania's accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and promoting integrity and transparency in international development cooperation and humanitarian assistance, the press release added.
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