Skopje, 28 April 2025 (MIA) - Justice Minister Igor Filkov said Monday the laws that are part of the Reform Agenda are ready and in the final stage of adoption, with entirely new pieces of legislation drafted for two-thirds of them.

Minister Filkov said the Law on the Judicial Council, which is due to be adopted by June, has already been drafted and forwarded to the Venice Commission for an opinion.

"The key novelties in the law are based on the proposals of the Peer Review Mission, including the procedure for dismissal of the Council president, clarification of the term 'jurist' and enhancement of the procedure for election of Council members from the ranks of the judges," said Filkov.

Regarding the Law on the Public Prosecutor's Office (PPO), which must be adopted by December, it now stipulates a separate budget amounting to at least 0.5 percent of the national budget.

"It also makes the process of electing a public prosecutor more transparent and gives precise deadlines for disciplinary proceedings," noted Filkov and added that other laws within this set include the law on the salaries of public prosecutors, due to be adopted by June.

"The amendments of the Criminal Code, due by December, are almost done, including the most urgent changes for the purpose of overcoming identified shortcomings," said Filkov, while adding that the amendments would be forwarded to the European Commission for an opinion prior to their adoption.

The Justice Minister also listed the other laws that are being drafted - criminal procedure code, judicial service, misdemeanors - or planned, such as the ones on the judicial budget, Council of Public Prosecutors, Electoral Code, free access to public information, pardoning, expertise, notary public, enforcement, probation, enforcement of sanctions, confiscation of property in civil proceedings; personal data protection.

The Justice Ministry is also launching an educational campaign "Our Jurisdiction - Your Right" with the goal of informing citizens on legal matters and the Ministry's competences.

"The incentive for the campaign is the experience we have had over the past year and our communication with citizens, and guided by the principles of openness and transparency. The campaign will be implemented through public events and workshops, in cooperation with the civil society. It will be open, inclusive but most of all, educational. I encourage all citizens, media and organizations to join by asking questions and sharing information," underlined Filkov.

Photo: Ministry of Justice