In the context of the recent adoption of Emergency Ordinance No 126/2022 on the adjustment of prices of public procurement contracts for products/services of sectoral contracts and framework contracts awarded in the fields of defence and security, The Foundation for the Defense of the Citizen Against State Abuses has once again asked the Minister of National Defence for information on the contract with Naval Group, specifically when it will be signed and whether price adjustment for the products and services to be contracted is being considered.
In the context of the project Transparency and Accountability in Public Procurement, The Foundation for the Defense of the Citizen Against State Abuses has monitored the actions of the state in relation to the procurement of multipurpose corvettes, referring the case to the Prosecutor's Office of the High Court of Cassation and Justice regarding the possible commission of the crime of abuse of office by the representatives of the Ciolos government, through the adoption of H.G. no. 906/2016 on the approval of the circumstances and specific procedures related to the strategic armament program "Multipurpose Corvette".
As a result of this action by FACIAS, H.G. no. 906/2016 was annulled and the Romanian state organised an international tender for the construction and delivery of corvettes for the Romanian Army, which was won by the French Naval Group, for the sum of 1.2 billion Euros, compared to the 1.6 billion Euros provided for by the government decision issued by the Ciolos Government, unlawfully. Thus, the Romanian state has made a saving of over 400 million euros.
However, as of 2019, nothing is happening regarding the signing of the contract with the winning company, even in the context of the war taking place on Romania's borders.
In the meantime, the French group declared the winner in Romania, although it does not have the legal basis (the contract) to carry out its obligations, proposes to Greece the construction of corvettes, which can be carried out right on the territory of their country.
The Foundation for the Defense of the Citizen Against State Abuses believes that such a lack of reaction should mean that those who are responsible for delaying steps that were already due should be held accountable. FACIAS, a strategic partner of the Council of Europe and the European Commission through the European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA), specialises in human rights advocacy. Our concern and work is to defend citizens against state abuses and we act as a member of CIVICUS (World Alliance for Citizen Participation) and FRA (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights).