In view of this assessment and taking into account the policy invitations addressed to Romania to correct the excessive deficit under Article 104(7) of the Treaty (see below), as well as to ensure sustainable convergence, and in line with the economic policy measures envisaged under the economic programme supported by C
ommunity balance-of-payments assistance, Romania is invited to: (i) ensure the correction of the excessive deficit by 2011; to this effect, implement the fiscal measures as planned in the February 2009 budget and the April 2009 amended budget, especially in the area of public sector wages a
nd pension<
...[+++]b class=yellow2> reform; take further corrective action if needed to achieve the 2009 deficit target in order to ensure compliance with the commitments undertaken under the programme supported by EC balance of payments assistance; and specify measures to buttress the envisaged reduction of the deficit in 2010 and 2011, in particular those underpinning the planned reduction of the public wage bill; (ii) undertake concrete steps towards the envisaged strengthening of fiscal governance and transparency, in particular by setting up a binding medium-term budgetary framework, establishing an independent fiscal council, introducing limits on budgetary revisions during the year and laying-out fiscal rules as well as restructuring the public compensation system, including pay and bonuses; in the area of tax administration, improve the efficiency of revenue collection through the reform of tax administration and a broadening of the tax base; (iii) accelerate the reform of the pension system (in particular with respect to the indexation of pensions and the retirement age) to curb the substantial increase in age-related expenditures and reduce the risks to the sustainability of public finances and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare spending; and (iv) strengthen the supply side of the economy by making tangible progress with the implementation of the structu ...In view of this assessment and taking into account the policy invitations addressed to Romania to correct the excessive deficit under Article 104(7) of the Treaty (see below), as well as to ensure sustainable convergence, Romania is invited to: (i) ensure the correction of the excessive deficit by 2011; to this effect, implement the fiscal measures as planned in the February 2009 budget and the April 2009 amended budget, especially in the area of public sector wages a
nd pension reform; take further corrective action if needed to achieve the 2009 deficit target in order to ensure compliance with the commitments undertaken u
nder the b ...[+++]alance of payments programme; and specify measures to buttress the envisaged reduction of the deficit in 2010 and 2011, in particular those underpinning the planned reduction of the public wage bill; (ii) undertake concrete steps towards the envisaged strengthening of fiscal governance and transparency, in particular by setting up a binding medium-term budgetary framework, establishing an independent fiscal council, introducing limits on budgetary revisions during the year and laying-out fiscal rules as well as restructuring the public compensation system, including pay and bonuses; (iii) accelerate the reform of pension (in particular with respect to the indexation of pensions and the retirement age) and health care systems to curb the substantial increase in age-related expenditures and reduce the risks to the sustainability of public finances; and (iv) strengthen the supply side of the economy by making tangible progress with the implementation of the structural reforms, notably by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of public administration, improving the business environment, tackling undeclared work and by increasing the absorption and improving the use of EU funds.