Skopje, 28 April 2025 (MIA) - Constitutional judiciary reform is one of the most important because the Constitutional Court plays a very important role not only in ensuring the rule of law but also in protecting European values, and the reform is to deliver on how best to protect the independence and integrity of the Constitutional Court in an ever-changing environment, EU Ambassador Michalis Rokas told Monday's roundtable over the need for a law on Constitutional Court. 

Rokas stressed that the Constitutional Court is not just another institution in a democratic society, it is a safeguard of the Constitution and of the fundamental rights and freedoms of every citizen. Its authority, impartiality and resilience are extremely important for the rule of law in the country, and a very important step on the country's path to EU membership, he pointed out. 

"Strengthening the Constitution is not just a formal requirement for EU membership, it is a strategic investment in the fair approach, in the rule of law, something that citizens need. It is a reform in which the Constitutional Court also has a very important role to play. Therefore, the EU supports the court in its work and strengthens its capacities. We support North Macedonia in building strong, independent and credible institutions," said Rokas. 

He noted that it is not up to the EU to recommend whether a law on the Constitutional Court needs to be passed, because the EU supports a process that is transparent, inclusive and based on dialogue, which will ultimately build trust in the Constitutional Court, its independence, in line with European standards and best practices. 

German Ambassador Petra Drexler and U.S. Ambassador Angela Aggeler also addressed Monday's roundtable at the Constitutional Court. 

Ambassador Drexler, among other things, mentioned the impact of current global developments on democracy and the rule of law, as well as the reforms recently implemented in terms of the Federal Constitutional Court in Germany, which are to protect the court, especially with regard to the selection and appointment of judges.

"Constitutional courts worldwide play a very important role in ensuring the protection of fundamental rights and the separation of powers. In this way, a democratic society is encouraged and promoted, the rule of law is supported, and therefore we cannot allow vulnerabilities in our highest courts. Different contexts, historical, political and legal, may require different answers to the question of how we can protect our legal systems," said Drexler, expressing support for the process of constitutional judiciary reform.

President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova and Constitutional Court President Darko Kostadinovski also addressed the roundtable. 

Thursday's roundtable “Do we need a law on the Constitutional Court” aims at opening a debate on the need for the adoption of a legislation that will regulate the work of the Constitutional Court through a dialogue of representatives of institutions, law experts and the civil sector.

Photo: print screen