Skopje, 29 October 2024 (MIA) -- Justice Minister Igor Filkov took part in the EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs held in Budva, Montenegro, on Oct. 28-29, the Ministry of Justice said in a press release.

According to the release, the gathering of ministers reaffirmed the strong regional commitment and close cooperation on justice and home affairs.

"The European Union and the Western Balkans discussed recent developments in relation to the digitization of justice and held an exchange of views on the opportunities and the main challenges of the potential of using interoperable solutions and new digital technologies, including artificial intelligence," the Ministry of Justice said.

"The European Union provided an update on ongoing EU discussions, including on the efforts toward the digitization of justice systems and electronic evidence. Participants were also informed about the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law," it added.

During the second day of the forum, Minister Filkov participated in sessions on justice in the digital age and cross-border judicial cooperation in criminal matters.

"Considering the enormous importance of digitization in the 21st century, there is an evident need of finding ways to establish e-justice, which above all else will be infrastructurally supported and aimed at exercising guaranteed human rights and the rule of law," Filkov said in his remarks on justice in the digital age. 

"This is why we need to make efforts to find solutions aligned with developing digital technology vis-à-vis strengthening the judiciary.

"The Republic of North Macedonia has recognized the challenges and opportunities accompanying digital transformation, which have been covered in the National ICT Strategy 2023-2027. Regarding justice, the Ministry of Justice has developed a Strategy for Digitization of the Judiciary 2019-2024.

"During this transition, of course, we have faced many challenges. We need additional investments in equipment and staff training, which undoubtedly requires financial and infrastructural support," he said.

"We also need to make sure cyber security is at the highest level, so we can protect all citizens' data and rights," he stressed.

During the discussion of cross-border judicial cooperation in criminal matters, Filkov talked about legal amendments on protecting victims' rights in cross-border cases, compensatory damages, and the country's cooperation with Eurojust, the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation.

On the sidelines of the Budva forum, the justice minister had three bilateral meetings: with EU Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders, with Hungary's Minister of Justice Bence Tuzson and with Montenegro's Minister of Justice Bojan Božović. mr/