The government will require the RA-APPS to publish the full list of properties and beneficiaries, under a draft decision released for public consultation on Thursday.

The proposal comes from the Government's General Secretariat, according to a statement issued by the Save Romania Union (USR).

Under the proposal, the Autonomous Administration of State Protocol Heritage (RA-APPS) would publish the complete list of properties under its administration, as well as details on how they are used.

Romanians would be able to see who uses the properties, under what type of contract, whether the properties were assigned directly or through auction, the value of the contracts and their duration, the source said.

'We promised transparency. For years, the RA-APPS patrimony was treated like a state secret reserved for the privileged. Villas, apartments, protocol spaces and plots of land owned by the state were handed out through various contracts and arrangements about which Romanians knew little or nothing,' said Government Secretary General Dan Resitnec.

The draft follows a series of public and legal actions undertaken by USR representatives to 'force' greater transparency regarding public assets.

USR deputy Ionut Mosteanu, former defence minister, personally went to the RA-APPS headquarters to request the declassification of the contract under which renovations worth millions of euros are being carried out at the villa located at Aviatorilor 86. He also formally requested the publication of the list of people living in villas administered by the institution.

Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu also launched court proceedings against RA-APPS seeking publication of the same list. She won the case in the first instance, while RA-APPS has lodged an appeal.

'What could not be achieved for years through individual actions while in opposition is now being achieved through a government decision,' Dan Resitnec added.

The government decision will enter into force after publication in the Official Gazette.

According to the draft, RA-APPS will publish on its website, on 31 May and 30 November each year, and maintain online, the list of all public and private state-owned properties under its administration.

For individual users of the properties, the category of position held will be specified without explicitly naming the post itself (for example: dignitary, senior civil servant, civil servant, personnel with special status), as well as the category of institution where they work, without naming the institution explicitly (parliamentary office, ministry, agency, authority, office or council).

For legal entities using the properties, the published information will include the name of the central or local public authority or institution, trade union organisation, political party, foundation, association, law office, notary office, religious institution, media outlet or publishing house, diplomatic mission, consular office or accredited intergovernmental organisation representation in Romania. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Irinela Visan; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)