Iohannis: Romania needs clear, just laws, for functional institutions to sanction law breaches

President Klaus Iohannis, on the occasion of the International Anti-Corruption Day, on Thursday, sent a message highlighting that Romania needs clear, predictable, just laws, for functional institutions, to be able to work at full capacity to sanction law breaches, agerpres reports.

"Strengthening the capacity of states to fight against corruption represents one of the defining challenges for current democracies. This phenomenon, which has crossed history and brought incalculable damage to the development of communities, has, in modernity, increasingly stronger effects. Corruption erodes societies and confidence in institutions, feeds poverty and inequalities, making public or private systems dysfunctional, it weakens state mechanisms and capacity to enforce laws and it distorts competition, directly affecting market economy. Fighting against this phenomenon is not only related to good governance, but is also directly linked with the future of our society, being, at the same time, a security risk," the head of state says in the message.

He shows that most often corruption acts through diversion of public power and its employment in own or group benefit, pointing out that the sectors with significant financial stakes - public acquisitions, healthcare, education, justice - must, on a priority basis, be the ones where integrity is fully assumed in the organisational culture.

"Being aware and interiorising some values such as equity, justice, impartiality, honour, truth, professionalism, respect for rules are landmarks that must be transmitted inside families and in schools. They lay the foundation of some upright behaviours of citizens," the head of state also says.

President Iohannis points out that the values that ground the draw-up of an anti-corruption normative framework are as topical and make up the moral plan guiding the development of Romania.

"The society's condemnation, the lack of confidence granting and the lack of vote granting to some corrupt politicians, the civic attitude in front of any deviation from the standards of European integrity are as important aspects. Romania needs clear, predictable, just laws, for functional institutions, to be able to work at full capacity to sanction law breaches, and, most of all, a joint effort," Iohannis stresses.

In spite of the health, economic or political challenges, he adds, Romania has remained a reference point in Eastern Europe due to the progress made in the rule of law area, and this must continue.

"I remain firmly committed in the development effort of the democratic path of our country, and I am deeply convinced that we can build a better future, as long as we seek support in the solid foundation of European values, integrity, justice and zero tolerance for corruption," Iohannis concludes.