The European Commission said on Thursday it is calling on Romania to fully transpose financial fraud, energy efficiency and oil stocks directives into its national legislation.
As part of its December infringement package, the Commission sent Romania one reasoned opinion and two letters of formal notice concerning pending issues that the country needs to tackle.
The Commission is calling on Romania to communicate transposition measures on the EU rules to fight against fraud to the Union's budget.
The rules increase the level of protection of the EU budget by harmonising the definitions, sanctions and limitation periods of criminal offences affecting the Union's financial interests, according to the EC. The Directive also lays the foundation for the material competence of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), which will investigate, prosecute and enforce these offences.
If Romania does not address EU's reasoned opinion in two months, the Commission will refer the case to the Court of Justice of the EU. If the Court rules against a member state, the country must then take the necessary measures to comply with the judgment.
The Commission also decided to send a letter of formal notice to Romania for failing to submit its national long-term renovation strategy under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
These long-term renovation strategies are a key piece of the directive, setting the path, policy measures and finance mobilisation needed to decarbonise existing building stock by 2050. This is important as the EU building sector is the largest single energy consumer in Europe and is responsible for 36% of the greenhouse gas emissions from energy in the EU, according to the Commission.
Another letter of formal notice requires Romania to take action to ensure full application of the EU legislation on oil stocks. The oil stocks directive requires that member states maintain minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products equivalent to at least 90 days of average daily net imports or 61 days of average daily inland consumption, whichever of the two quantities is greater.
Romania now has two months to respond to the two letters of formal notice. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.
(SeeNews, December 3, 2020)
