Skopje, 3 December 2021 (MIA) – EU enlargement should again be in the focus, said Justice Minister Bojan Marichikj in his remarks at the EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs in Brdo near Kranj on Friday. “I hope for a start of the enlargement process at this year’s Council summit in December, through the adoption of a consensual decision for the opening of the accession negotiations and holding of the first Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) with North Macedonia and Albania,” said Minister Marichikj. He listed all the adopted strategic documents for further improvement of the work of judges and prosecutors, as well as ensuring their independence from potential outside and inside pressure, adding that the new Strategy for period 2023-2027 is already in development, the Ministry of Justice said in a press release. On the rule of law and reforms related to the process of establishing an independent, impartial and efficient judicial system that meets European standards, Marichikj referred to the important role of the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors in the process of implementing initial training and continued professional advancement of judges and prosecutors in North Macedonia. “I find investments in quality and vocational training of professionals entering the judicial system the most important aspect for the purpose of delivering justice and people having trust in our judicial systems,” noted Marichikj. He also discussed digitization of judiciary, saying it is more than necessary in the fight against corruption. “Chances for human influence drop when multiple processes are digitized. This gives added value to the entire process and our efforts. We need judges, prosecutors and judicial administration who are continually working on their advancement,” concluded Marichikj. The annual EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum brought together Western Balkans ministers of justice and home affairs, alongside European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson and European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders.