Skopje, 27 October 2023 (MIA) – Promoting the rule of law is a joint priority of the EU and the Western Balkan countries. It is a fundamental value of the EU, a driver of the accession process, and a key demand for progress in the negotiations process, said European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders at a joint press conference Friday with the justice ministers of Spain and North Macedonia, María Pilar Llop Cuenca and Krenar Lloga.

Reynders stressed that strengthening rule of law is a complex issue that calls for constant effort, and the European Commission aims to launch negotiations with partner countries who complete the reforms sooner and ensure a transparent and efficient judiciary. 

“Our partners from North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia have all demonstrated that they are ready to realize these reforms in the judiciary. It is important to continue the process of reforms, fully in line with the EU standards and for that it is necessary to follow the recommendations of the Venice Commission, OSCE, and EC, in order to realize the reforms in all criminal courts, to ensure criminal prosecution of high-profile organize crime and corruption cases. I encourage all Western Balkan partners to commit themselves for tangible progress in this area, for independent monitoring of these cases and implementation of the OSCE recommendations,” said the European Commissioner stressing that the countries receive financial assistance from the EU for that aim.

Spanish Minister Llop Cuenca said that the rule of law calls for continuity, stressing that when justice functions it provides guarantees for freedom. 

“In order to be trustworthy, justice needs to be agile and offer solutions to the citizens, but it should also be independent and capable of efficiently monitoring cases of corruption. That calls for resources - human, financial and technological that will ensure efficient work… The fight against corruption and organized crime must be the main pillar of justice in order to ensure a proper functioning of democracy. Good, strong and capable legal systems and our commitment to them in terms of facing challenges, will lead us to 2030,” said Llop Cuenca.

The Macedonian Minister of Justice, Krenar Lloga, said the rule of law is high on the agenda of the EU and the Western Balkan countries, while the reforms that are being implemented continuously are aimed at strengthening and promoting independence, efficiency, and accountability of the judiciary as a prerequisite for a stable democratic society. He underlined the importance of improving the effective processing of cases of high corruption and organized crime, which, he said, is often critical in terms of raising the citizens’ trust in the system and the rule of law.

“I express our readiness to achieve progress in this field, including through the implementation of recommendations of the OSCE regional trial monitoring project,” said Lloga.

Photo: MIA