Minister of Justice on the Creation of PACCO: Any Reform Poses Risks

Any reform is associated with risks, says the head of the Ministry of Justice, stressing the importance of a detailed analysis of the project to abolish specialized prosecutor’s offices and create the Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime (PACCO). According to Veronica Mihailov-Moraru, the legislative initiative aims at a faster response to calls, but it is important to ensure the continuity of investigated cases. She said this on the air of the programme Cutia Neagră PLUS on the TV8 channel. “The organized crime sector has been shaped by other realities, because from 2021 to 2024 the situation has changed significantly and it is clear that the investigation of such cases can no longer take place separately or piecemeal,” she said. Mihailov-Moraru stressed that the Justice Ministry had presented three possible options of the reform and relevant solutions at the press conference. The analyses were sent to the parliament for further discussion. However, the parliament registered a draft law that proposes another, more complicated option. “The Justice Ministry, in considering the three possible options, sought to ensure continuity of commitment, work on existing cases, and ensure the smoothest possible transition,” said Veronica Mihailov-Moraru. Asked whether the creation of PACCO would not block the disposal of cases already before the court, the minister said: “Any reform comes with risks and it is important how exactly these are managed. These issues need to be discussed and the implementation plan needs to be carefully thought through. We all have one goal in mind - to ensure that cases continue, do not suffer and reach their logical conclusion. Trials are scheduled for certain dates, and if the prosecutor changes, he or she may request time to prepare. However, let us not jump to conclusions. It is important to hear the position of the Prosecutor General’s Office and their proposed solutions”.