Skopje, 31 December 2021 (MIA) – Reforms in the judiciary are never quick, nor simple. We have to stay on track and results are sure to follow, Justice Minister Bojan Marichikj said in a video message on Friday, extending New Year’s greetings and wishing citizens health, success and happiness in the new year. “Processes crucial for the future and the country’s long-term development resumed in the past year. The Justice Ministry continued working on new laws, wrapping up some more than necessary processes,” the Minister noted. Moreover, North Macedonia in 2021 conducted a census, for the first time in 20 years, amid a pandemic and calls for boycott. “The government also adopted changes to the Criminal Code, improving protection of women, as well as reporters and media workers,” he added. According to Marichikj, North Macedonia improved in 2021 cooperation with the European Court of Human Rights by signing Protocol 16, set to benefit citizens. “We also launched the digitalization of the judiciary. Some services have been fully digitalized, with more to follow. In the meantime, we resumed the filtration of the judiciary, increased salaries in the sector and  drafted dozens of laws aiming to improve rule of law,” he stressed. In his video message, the Minister also noted that the country received positive feedback in State Department and European Commission reports, which registered progress. “This is added proof that government and Justice Ministry activities have been recognized by relevant international factors that in the past gave low scores to rule of law,” Marichikj highlighted. According to him, reforms in the judiciary are never quick, nor simple. “We have to stay on track and results are sure to follow,” the Minister added. Finally, Marichikj extended New Year’s greetings and wished citizens health, success and happiness in the new year.