Romanian leader: Obama asked for justice reforms

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania's president says U.S. President Barack Obama advised him to reform his country's troubled justice system.

President Traian Basescu spoke Wednesday after returning home from a visit to the United States that sparked much buzz among Romanians.

Basescu says that he asked Obama what Romania could do for the U.S. during a 30-minute meeting Tuesday in Washington.

He says that Obama responded: "Make sure the law is applied, make sure that justice functions. That is the greatest thing you could do."

Romanian courts are slow and dogged by allegations of corruption and political interference. The European Union has called on Romania to institute reforms.