Skopje, 21 September 2023 (MIA) – The rule of law is also essential for the country to advance on its European path, there can be no shortcuts here, no compromises, said the EU Ambassador to North Macedonia, David Geer, on the occasion of the official beginning of the "EU Support for Rule of Law" project which aims to strengthen the rule of law in North Macedonia.

Geer said the project covers four key areas of the rule of law – the judiciary, the police, respect for human rights, and the fight against corruption. 

The Ambassador voiced satisfaction that the project involves collaboration with the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute from Austria, the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration of Croatia, the Ministry of Interior of Slovenia, and the Center for International Legal Cooperation.

“The success of this project will not depend on the commitment of the partners, although that’s important. It will not depend on the quality of the expertise and advice given, although that’s important. It will depend on the commitment of all of the institutions concerned, and of the authorities to move decisively forward on the rule of all. This is not only important, it’s important first and foremost for the citizens, but it’s also essential for the country to advance on its European path, there can be no shortcuts here, no compromises,” stressed Geer.

The event was addressed by Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski, Justice Minister Krenar Lloga, Minister of Labor and Social Policy Jovanka Trenchevska, as well as representatives of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute, and the Center for International Legal Cooperation.

According to Minister Spasovski, the country’s EU integration is the Government’s strategic commitment, which would be unimaginable without the basic foundation of the rule of law, as one of the shared values of all member states. Spasovski said the project is of exceptional importance, and dubbed it as one of the most important projects being implemented in the country.

Justice Minister Lloga, on the other hand, stressed that the country currently finds itself in a situation where it has to take decisive steps in terms of raising the level of the rule of law and boosting the public’s trust in the judiciary, fight against corruption and organized crime, and ensuring greater protection of human rights and freedoms.

The Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Jovanka Trenchevska, in her address at the event, highlighted that the project will contribute to a timely preparation of the relevant institutions and their capacities in the process of assessing the achievements in Chapter 23 – Judiciary and Fundamental Rights.

The project, which is fully funded by the EU, is designed to support relevant institutions working in the field of justice, organized crime, fight against corruption, and promotion and protection of human rights, with the goal of improving their capacities, effectiveness and influence. The project will last for 36 months, with a planned extension of an additional 6 months, and has a budget of EUR 10.25 million.

Photo: Ministry of Labor and Social Policy