"I stayed for this debate out of the respect that I have for a democratic institution of Romania. I treat this case in good faith, in the letter and spirit of the law, but let me do it in a lucid way to find the best solutions. You have suggested here too that I should amend some laws through government emergency orders. Do not ask me however to repeat the mistakes that have been made before. We searched and searched for solutions to allow freedom of expression to the Antena television group. But they need to be done within the law.
I want to differentiate in the way NAFA acted and which I decry in front of you. And I drew the attention of the interim head of NAFA that these reflexes must disappear not only from NAFA but from all institutions working with citizens. It takes respect.
There is one thing about the way they acted and the other thing is the substance and the basis on which they acted. NAFA complied with the law. This court judgment has been delivered since 2014. The complaints were made last year too when Mr. Teodorovici was finance minister.
The five days term: they are provided by law. There are five days for a voluntary evacuation. That does not mean that after five days they will be forcibly evicted. NAFA’s request may be challenged, there is no question that physically the antennas cannot leave the building in five days. If there are solutions to facilitate the transfer from one building to another, we will accept it. As for renting, the same law provides that a confiscated property can be exploited only by sales. The Legislature may amend the law, but it cannot interpret the law ", said Dacian Cioloş in his final word before the Senate during the hearing on NAFA summons for the antennas to evacuate the premises.
I also want the Antennas to keep broadcasting.
You have referred to TVR, I am glad this topic is making a comeback in the Parliament, the board of administration is appointed by the Parliament.
Dacian Cioloș spoke Wednesday in the Senate plenary, on the state of Intact television stations headquarters. The prime minister said he has asked the new management to reconsider how NAFA operates so that staff attitude should be one of respect for the citizens and for taxpayers.
"As the Parliament represents the state’s legislative power, the Government is the executive power and the judiciary, the justice power . In the case you have proposed today, an institution subordinated to the State and the Government decided to implement a final court decision. It is not about an attack on the right to free speech or freedom of the press that the Government I lead I can assure you that we fully observe. Furthermore, I must say that the decision does not interfere with the work of journalists.
Broadcasters do not lose their licenses. Termination of broadcasting is always the prerogative of CNA. The televisions will broadcast months from now including from the offices in question simply because we are just at the beginning of a legal process of taking possession of property of the state that could last for another good month, " the Prime Minister said.
"The Romanian Government complies with the laws and thus with judgments and NAFA has enforced a final court judgment. NAFA acted under statutory powers, as the organ of enforcement actions being taken in order to exploit these assets. On February 8, 2016, in the meeting headed by former President of NAFA, it was decided to implement a final judgment. Evacuation notification was sent on February 15. I was not informed of this decision, but I did not have to be informed ", said Dacian Cioloş.
"I requested the NAFA to re-examine how it relates to the taxpayers in their duties. Representatives of state institutions should not display an attitude of intimidation or repression, "the premier stressed
"The term given to voluntary evacuation is stipulated by the Code of Civil Procedure and is not determined by NAFA. It is five days, according to the law, and it applies to all legal entities for eviction. There are no different deadlines for other activities, nor for television stations. Currently, the only method of recovery of state assets is regulated by the ordinance which only requires the sale of goods as a form of recovery, "said Dacian Ciolos.
The Senate decided on the proposal from President Calin Popescu Tariceanu to ask Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos to come Wednesday in plenary to explain the action of the institutions subordinated to the Government in the case of the Intact television outlets.
The decision was made Tuesday by the Senate with 70 votes in favor, two against and three abstentions. All parliamentary groups have expressed support of the proposal of the President of the Senate.
The buildings in which the television stations Antena 1 and Antena 3 operate must be evacuated within five days following notification received on Monday by the Directorate General for Regional Public Finance Bucharest, which enforces the criminal sentence ruled in 2013, which became final .
Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos confirmed he would come Wednesday in the Senate, but said neither he nor the Minister of Finance were not asked by NAFA anything about the Antennas.