Romania's Schengen Accession at Risk Amid Transparency Rollback

Romania's EU Standing Threatened by Asset Declaration Ruling

Romania's path to full Schengen integration faces new obstacles after the Constitutional Court struck down key transparency requirements for public officials' asset declarations. The decision eliminates mandatory disclosure of family members' assets and removes public access to declarations - measures previously seen as crucial for EU integration.

Immediate Impact on Schengen Accession

Former National Integrity Agency director Horia Georgescu warns the ruling jeopardizes Romania's international credibility during delicate EU negotiations. Key concerns include:

• Undermining progress toward Schengen Area membership
• Threatening OECD accession process where ANI was presented as institutional model
• Complicating implementation of National Recovery and Resilience Plan commitments

How the Ruling Affects Schengen Integration

The decision effectively rolls back transparency measures implemented as part of Romania's EU accession process. Georgescu notes this contradicts conditions set during the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism period when Schengen accession was a national priority.

The ruling creates practical challenges for verifying officials' wealth, particularly regarding assets transferred to family members. "There's now no mechanism to check if someone transferred property to their children," Georgescu explained.

Broader Implications for EU Relations

Experts warn the timing couldn't be worse, coming as Romania seeks to strengthen its position as a reliable EU member. The transparency rollback may:

• Damage trust with European partners
• Revive concerns about corruption prevention
• Delay further integration into EU structures

While some propose legislative fixes, Georgescu cautions the core issue involves fundamental principles that may prove difficult to address through new laws alone.