Skopje, 20 October 2021 (MIA) – North Macedonia has made great progress in the judiciary system, says Minister of Justice Bojan Marichikj, concerning the European Commission’s progress report which was released on Tuesday. “The report made by the European Commission regarding North Macedonia’s progress is realistic. We’ve made great progress in the judiciary, the Judicial Council’s efforts have been acknowledged, the Academy of Judges has been praised, and there are multiple reform-implementing elements. We’re on the right track. Our grade is medium, 'moderately prepared'. The public service hasn’t been touched because there are too many critical circumstances. The Special Public Prosecution’s cases have been resumed, and many things were done over the past four years that made us move forward from being 'state capture',  Marichikj said during his guest appearance in Studio 10 at TV24 on Wednesday. He says that it shouldn’t be forgotten that the country has been making efforts to mitigate the consequences from Covid for a year and a half. “The European Commission’s report is realistic, and it’s a good thing that the opposition has returned to Parliament,” Marichikj said. The report, which was presented on Tuesday at the European Parliament in Strasbourg for all six countries of the Western Balkans, alongside the 2021 Enlargement Package, says that the judicial system is “moderately prepared” for EU membership. "Some progress was achieved regarding the implementation of the judicial reform strategy, thereby further addressing the recommendations from the Venice Commission and the Senior Experts’ Group on systemic Rule of Law issues. Efforts are still needed to ensure systematic implementation of the updated action plan on the judicial reform strategy and the human resources strategies for the judiciary and prosecution. Judicial institutions continue applying the new rules for the appointment, promotion, discipline and dismissal of judges and prosecutors. Most of the implementing legislation of the revised Law on the Council of Public Prosecutors was adopted," reads the document. It is important, it adds, to continue implementing the legal framework and strategic plans related to the reform of the Judicial Council and the Council of Public Prosecutors. A new draft Law on the Academy for Judges and Prosecutors should maintain the Academy as the sole entry point to the judiciary and prosecution and should secure a fair and transparent access to these professions. dk/ba/