Skopje, 28 July 2023 (MIA) - Deputy Prime Minister in charge of good governance policies, Slavica Grkovska met Friday with the expert on legal issues Branko Hrvatin, who will lead a team delegated by the European Commission that will conduct a peer review mission to North Macedonia focusing on the functioning of the Judicial Council.

The Croatian Supreme Court Judge is visiting North Macedonia in order to make preliminary preparations ahead of the EU mission, which will be realized in September and is supposed to examine the Judicial Council's institutional framework, then propose long-term and short-term measures, the Deputy PM's Office said in a press release.

Deputy PM Grkovska expressed gratitude for the support North Macedonia receives from EU, especially the justice system, which is a key in dealing with corruption and organized crime. Unfortunately, she stressed, we know that the judiciary, as one of the most important institutions and supposed to guarantee the independence, objectiveness, efficiency and quality of the judiciary, has lost its credibility and it can no longer fulfil its duties," reads the press release.

Grkovska stated that despite all the processes for improving the regulations and strengthening capacities, there are no signs of improving the integrity of some judges, which is a prerequisite for resisting all forms of influence.

Hrvatin emphasized that the peer review mission will offer support so that North Macedonia will be able to detect the weaknesses in the judiciary, in this case the Judicial Council’s positioning, which is a good foundation for making additional reform steps.

Grkovska informed that certain weaknesses were detected by her Office so far, while Hrvatin pointed out that every suggestion will be aimed at improving the Judicial Council, and any suggestion resulting from the previous practical experience will be welcome for the analysis that should be prepared by the expert team hired by the EU.

Interlocutors agreed that the constitutionally guaranteed independence of the Judiciary is closely related to responsibility, which in this case is directly related to the citizens' interest. They also agreed that transparency is an important element for strengthening not only the judiciary, but society as a whole. ssh/ik/

Photo: Government