Skopje, 15 November 2024 (MIA) – The Ministry of Justice is organizing Friday a roundtable on the need to amend the Law on the Judicial Council, which is part of the reforms in the judiciary, announced by the new government.

Justice Minister Igor Filkov has said that changes to the Judicial Council and the Council of Public Prosecutors are key to the country’s EU accession progress. 

"Tomorrow we begin with expert debates over draft amendments to the Law on Judicial Council prepared by the working group formed by the Ministry of Justice. This will be one of the several upcoming events. We're scheduled to finish the process sometime by the end of December, which means we'll have one debate a week. Expectations are high. Conclusions and recommendations from the round table discussions will be the basis for further improvement of the text and amendments to the Law on Judicial Council," Filkov said addressing yesterday’s government debate on justice, security and defense.

Regarding the announced consultations on reforming the Judicial Council and the Council of Public Prosecutors, the government has said that judicial reforms from pre-campaign promise have become an integral part of the government program 2024-2028, included in the Front against Corruption section. 

“The government is committed to systemic solutions, transforming the judicial bodies into real, transparent, responsible and efficient institutions. We are seriously committed to the idea of passing solutions that will be the foundation of a normal democratic society. In order to pass a sustainable solution, we called for debate seeking inclusivity, but no such state is in sight by now. Thus, it is a logical question to ask whether the dissolution of these institutions concerns many? It is important to know that a time of change is coming and a chance for professionals,” the government spokesperson’s office told MIA in a statement. 

Justice Minister Igor Filkov and Dieter Schindlauer, team leader of the EU Support for Rule of Law project, will deliver opening speeches. 

The event aims at encouraging an expert debate on the content of the draft amendments to the Law on the Judicial Council of the Republic of Macedonia, prepared by a working group at the Ministry of Justice. 

The roundtable is the first of several events organized by the Ministry of Justice to consult with experts so as to ensure a transparent and inclusive process that will contribute to improving the legislation regulating the Judicial Council. 

Conclusions and recommendations from the roundtable will serve as the basis to further improve the text of the amendments to the Law on the Judicial Council. 

The event is supported by the EU Support for Rule of Law project, said the Justice Ministry. 

MIA file photo