Skopje, 2 May 2023 (MIA) — For the European Union, the rule of law is fundamental and if the country's judiciary is compromised it will affect its efforts for consolidating democracy and building a developed economy, EU Ambassador David Geer said in a Sitel TV appearance on Tuesday evening.

Ambassador Geer said the EU Delegation was closely following developments in the judiciary. He said the Judicial Council was responsible for promoting and defending the judges' independence, integrity and professionalism, so its work and decisions were important.

At no time, he said, should the Judicial Council become subject to outside political interference or financial interests. If that were to happen, he added, the independence of the judges would be compromised.

All members of the Judicial Council should always act with impartiality, independence, and integrity, Geer said.

"Not because the European Union demands it, but because it is in the public interest," he noted.

Asked about whether the country was on the right track regarding its justice reforms, he reiterated that the EU was monitoring the country's progress over the years through its annual reports and added there was some progress made over the years.

But in recent months, Geer said, the EU was concerned by the increasing number of cases inconsistent with what would be expected from a negotiating country.

"What do I mean by a negotiating country? Last July you opened membership negotiations with the EU," the EU Ambassador said, adding that this meant a different relationship with a high level of commitment.

This is why, according to him, the EU had concerns regarding cases involving high-level corruption being sent to retrials, which he said indicated a worrisome repetitive practice.

Recent developments at the Judicial Council and the Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime and Corruption also raised questions, the EU Delegation head said.

He added that the EU would continue watching closely, with great scrutiny, the developments thoughout the accession process, from day one to the day the country joined the EU, which is why they were expressing their concern about the current situation. mr/