Romania is among the 73 governments and entities—out of the 140 analyzed—that met the minimum fiscal transparency requirements in the U.S. State Department's 2025 assessment, according to the *Fiscal Transparency Report 2026* published on Tuesday, a Ministry of Finance press release states.

The Department notes that the annual assessment mandated by the U.S. Congress examines the extent to which governments provide public access to key budget documents and whether these documents are sufficiently comprehensive and generally reliable. This year's assessment covered 140 governments and entities (identified by Congress); of these, 73 met the minimum requirements for fiscal transparency, while 67 failed to meet this standard.

Romania falls into the category of states that meet the established minimum requirements.

'The assessment conducted by the U.S. State Department confirms the importance of fiscal transparency for strengthening market confidence and ensuring the responsible management of public finances. Transparency is not merely a procedural requirement but an essential element of responsible governance. Romania must continue to maintain a high level of openness, ensuring public access to clear and accurate data regarding the management of the country's financial resources,' stated Minister of Finance Alexandru Nazare in the press release.

The Ministry of Finance notes that, for the 2026 assessment, the U.S. State Department has updated and strengthened its analysis criteria. New requirements include the publication of the terms and conditions of sovereign loans granted to foreign borrowers, including information regarding obligations and assets pledged as collateral.

The Ministry of Finance also emphasizes that the transparent publication of public debt data is essential for preventing unfavorable borrowing terms and protecting national resources against speculative practices.

'The report highlights that fiscal transparency is an essential pillar of efficient public financial management, contributing to: strengthening market confidence and supporting economic sustainability; fostering a business-friendly environment by reducing corruption risks, financial crimes—such as money laundering or terrorist financing—and unfair practices in international markets; enhancing the accountability of authorities by providing citizens with a clear picture of the state budget and facilitating public debate; and ensuring the proper use of funds, thereby assuring international partners that resources and assistance are being managed appropriately,' the statement reads.

The U.S. State Department's assessment was conducted in consultation with other U.S. federal agencies and was based on information provided by U.S. embassies and consulates, government institutions, international organizations, and civil society organizations. The period analyzed for the 2026 edition was January 1 through December 31, 2025.

'Meeting the minimum requirements assessed by the U.S. Department of State reaffirms the ongoing efforts of Romania and the Ministry of Finance to ensure open access to budgetary information, guarantee responsible financial governance, and maintain an economic framework that is predictable and attractive to investment,' the statement further notes. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: George Banciulea;EN - writing by: Catalin Cristian Trandafir)

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