According to a press release sent to Hotnews.ro, the British Embassy in Romania expresses its common vision earlier expressed by the US ambassador Nicholas Taubman on the proposed amendments to the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code.

Although the British embassy aids Romania reforming its judicial system, the officials "share the US Government's concern that, if approved in their current form, the proposed amendments to the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code could hamper the Romanian authorities' ability to effectively investigate and prosecute those suspected of a wide range of serious crimes".

"The British Embassy notes comments made today by Ambassador Nicholas F. Taubman regarding proposed amendments to the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code.

The British Government is a steady supporter of reforms in Romania, including in the Justice and Home Affairs area. Over the last year, we have funded bilateral projects worth 2 million Euro, which are helping Romania to reform its judicial system, fight corruption and organised crime, strengthen its borders and develop local administrations.

We believe that a continued pace of reforms is vital to ensuring the full success of Romania's EU membership. Romania and the UK are partners in a community of shared interests and values, and we are keen to continue to work with our Romanian colleagues to deliver results in the spirit of such values.

We share the US Government's concern that, if approved in their current form, the proposed amendments to the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code could hamper the Romanian authorities' ability to effectively investigate and prosecute those suspected of a wide range of serious crimes, and also the effectiveness of our UK-Romania cooperation in the fight against crime which affects us all."

British Embassy,

Bucharest 15 November 2007