Skopje, 20 December 2024 (MIA) -  According to the Reform Agenda officially approved by the European Commission, the country should have a new law on the Judicial Council by June 2025. The actions of state institutions alone are not enough to achieve the assessment that the rule of law prevails in the country, but this requires a completely closed circle in an efficient procedure as proof that the system in the country is functional, Minister of Justice Igor Filkov told Friday's fifth round table on consultations with the expert public over amendments to the Law on the Judicial Council.

Minister Filkov pointed out that the entire consultation process is being completed in accordance with the promises and commitments made that the legal solutions will be prepared in a transparent process with consultations with the expert community, including the proposals from today's debate in which judges from the largest Skopje appellate district participate.

"The reform agenda, which was officially approved by the European Commission on October 23, 2024, obliges us to have a new law on the Judicial Council by June 2025, which will address the recommendations of the peer review mission. We also have the obligation for the draft law to be reviewed by the Venice Commission before adoption in the country, which creates pressure to complete the process as soon as possible," said Filkov. 

He expressed confidence that the country will get an appropriate legal solution that will lay the foundation for the efficient functioning of the Judicial Council, noting that the Judicial Council as a body needs to restore its legitimacy, professionalism and integrity by properly applying legal norms.

"I call on you today, the judges from the largest appellate district in the country, with the largest number of cases at work, to express your position, opinion and provide specific suggestions on the proposed amendments to the Law on the Judicial Council. Especially regarding the conditions and procedure for the election of members, the mandate and responsibility, the disciplinary procedure of a judge, the procedure for appeal, election, termination and dismissal of a judge and lay judge, but also for other parts of the law," Filkov said.

The Ministry of Justice, he added, remains committed to all processes and to ensuring the conditions for preserving the principle of the rule of law, which are necessary to increase the efficiency of judicial proceedings and the quality of justice. However, he pointed out that such a commitment cannot be achieved by the executive branch, but depends on each judge.

"We are only preparing and proposing the legal basis for the functioning of the judiciary. The implementation of each legal norm depends on each judge, public prosecutor, member of the Judicial Council, member of the Council of Public Prosecutors and the dignity and professionalism of each of them. That is why each of the aforementioned is obliged to prove their professionalism and integrity in their actions. This is a joint commitment that requires a joint contribution in order to restore the citizens' trust in the judicial institutions," said Filkov. 

Supreme Court President Besa Ademi said the inclusiveness of the process of adopting these changes, as part of the reform process in the judiciary, shows that the position and opinions of the judges are respected, and at the same time contributes to the European aspirations of the country.

"The aim of the legislative amendments is to find the best solutions that will overcome the identified weaknesses, will be in line with the recommendations of the peer review mission and will ensure consistency in fulfilling the basic principles of the rule of law. It is the principles of independence of the judiciary, accountability, protection of the reputation of the judiciary, the integrity of judges, protection from undue influence, legal certainty and of course the principles of the European Court of Human Rights that should be the essential basis for the legislative amendments. The Supreme Court of the Republic of North Macedonia, through the general session, will give strong support to all legislative amendments that are a guarantee for consistent respect for European standards and for the future of the judiciary, the state and its citizens," Ademi said. 

The working version of the draft law on amendments to the law on the Judicial Council, which was the subject of a series of debates, was prepared by a Working Group within five months. All proposals made so far, said the round table, have been noted and will be forwarded to an optimized working group that will prepare the appropriate legal amendments to contribute to the improvement of the legal framework regulating the operation of the Judicial Council.

Friday's round table on the need for amendments to the Law on the Judicial Council of the Republic of North Macedonia so as to address the recommendations of the peer review mission for the Judicial Council was organized by the Ministry of Justice in cooperation with and with support from the EU Support for the Rule of Law project.

Photo: MIA