Skopje, 21 September 2023 (MIA) – We want to see the country move forward rapidly on the rule of law, the citizens are entitled to ask for that, as the EU is entitled to ask for that from a candidate country, said the EU Ambassador to North Macedonia, David Geer, in answer to a journalist’s question on Thursday after the promotion of the new EU-funded project “EU Support for Rule of Law”.

“Of course, there has been progress in the rule of law over the years. And we should not forget that. At the same time there are a number of concerns, take for example the events of the summer at the Judicial Council, as a result of which we have deployed a peer review mission here to look at recommendations how to make the Judicial Council more professional, independent. And you will not have missed the statement from the European Commission last week in Brussels, expressing their concerns about the changes to the Criminal Code. First of all, the use of the EU flag which they regarded as inappropriate, because this is the kind of legislation which needs to be discussed. And secondly, the great concern expressed by the Commission at the risk that these changes would increase impunity in the country. We want to see the country move forward rapidly on the rule of law, citizens are entitled to ask for that, as the EU is entitled to ask for that from a candidate country,” said the EU Ambassador.

Asked when the results of the EU’s peer review mission on the Judicial Council’s work can be expected, Geer did not give an exact date, but said the mission is set to conclude this week and return to Brussels. 

“The peer review mission brings very senior judges who have relevant experience from the European Union to look at the operation of the Judicial Council and make recommendations as how to improve its professionalism, independence and efficiency. The mission will conclude this week and then they will go back to Brussels and discuss their recommendations with the European Commission. I cannot give you an exact date when those recommendations will become more public, but I think everyone understands that there is a need to give those recommendations rapidly,” said Geer.

Photo: MIA