Skopje, 3 February 2026 (MIA) — Strengthening the efficiency and independence of the judiciary is one of the state's priorities and a prerequisite for restoring public trust in institutions, Minister of Justice Igor Filkov said Tuesday at the conference "Strengthening the Efficiency and Independence of the Judiciary in North Macedonia" held as part of the EU-funded "EU Support for the Rule of Law" project.

"This is a critical and decisive moment for the judiciary. We need to see the situation clearly and objectively, because only through a precise evaluation can we reach sustainable solutions," Filkov said.

He pointed to several documents related to the situation in the judiciary, including the 2024-28 Judicial Sector Development Strategy, the 2024-27 Reform Agenda, the National Strategy for Preventing Corruption and the European Commission reports.

He also pointed to the roadmap for implementing the human resources strategy for the judicial network as being "not just a theoretical document, but a practical and applicable guide offering a clear and feasible path for addressing the most urgent challenges in the judiciary."

According to Filkov, the Ministry of Justice noted alarming conditions in the judiciary in 2024 and 2025, which directly correspond to the weaknesses pointed out in the roadmap.

"The proposed measures need to be seriously considered and implemented if we really want results that will be measurable, visible and sustainable. Reforms have to contribute to filling job vacancies, modernizing the infrastructure, strengthening institutional integrity and increasing public trust through transparency and high ethical standards," the justice minister said.

Filkov highlighted the importance of digitizing the judiciary.

"Investments in integrated case management systems and fully digital court files are not the future. They are the present and they are a real need," he said, adding that digital tools would make it possible to allocate resources better and provide better access to the legal system.

Speaking about the Ministry of Justice, he said it had developed some thirty laws introducing systemic reforms in the judiciary.

According to the justice minister, the Law on the Judicial Council has already been adopted and the bill on the Public Prosecutor's Office is on track to become law soon. He also said other bills had been drafted as part of the complete reset of the judicial system.

"Our duty as a Ministry of Justice is to develop clear and enforceable laws, which will be an instrument for justice and fairness," Filkov said. 

"Judiciary reforms and improving the legal framework are not quick processes that take only a day. They are not easy but they are necessary. We keep working, with dedication and together, on systemic solutions," he said. mr/