Tetovo, 29 April 2023 (MIA) – The start of EU accession negotiations requires us to intensify the activities to strengthen the rule of law and legal security through reforms in the system and alignment of national legislation, Justice Minister Krenar Lloga said, who participated in a conference organised by the Faculty of Law at the South East European University (SEEU) in Tetovo.

Lloga underscored that reforms in the judicial system cannot and must not remain only on paper.

“The adopted laws should be implemented, and the reforms should enable the change of practices and habits (especially the wrong ones) as well as prejudices. The Ministry of Justice remains committed to improving and strengthening the legal and institutional framework in the fight against organised crime and corruption. The reform agenda requires commitment, knowledge, but also support from all stakeholders, in the attempt to become part of the big European family. The constitutional amendments lie ahead of us. It is up to us whether we will move toward the EU path or stagnate. It is time for all of us to make a statesmanlike decision together,” Lloga said.

As he pointed out, in the EU accession negotiation process, chapter 23: Judiciary and Fundamental Rights of Fundamentals cluster, represent key chapter.

“We have the political will, but also the commitment to solve certain shortcomings in the field of justice, as well as the fight against organised crime and corruption. As the Ministry of Justice, we have done a lot in terms of reforms in the justice system; digitization in the judiciary is underway, a new Justice Sector Reform Strategy 2023-2027 is being prepared. After almost three decades, probably by the end of the year we will have a completely new Criminal Code, and the preparation of the first Civil Code is underway, in which for the first time the civil-legal matter will be codified in one act," Lloga said.

SEEU hosted on Saturday the international scientific conference on legal sciences “Contemporary aspects of legal doctrine and interpretation-challenges and perspectives.”