OSCE Mission supports public discussion in Skopje on judiciary reform

SKOPJE, 13 September 2005 - More than 50 representatives from national judicial institutions, as well as local and international organizations working on judicial reform, participated in a roundtable discussion yesterday in Skopje on reforming the judiciary.

The event, entitled "European standards and models for appointment of judges and prosecutors in light of the current constitutional reform," is the result of co-operation between the Supreme Court and the Centre for Continuing Education of the Macedonian Judges Association (CCE/MJA).

It was supported by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje and the Council of Europe.

Agim Miftari, a Supreme Court Justice and President of the MJA, said the CCE appreciated the long and fruitful co-operation with the OSCE Mission, especially over this event.

"This important roundtable is the first of this kind in which all national and international key stakeholders are gathered to discuss the relevant issues related to the independence of judiciary in light of the ongoing Constitutional Reform," he said. 

The event was jointly opened by Ambassador Carlos Pais, Head of the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, the Minister of Justice, Meri Mladenovska-Gjorgjievska, and the President of the Supreme Court, Dane Iliev.

Ambassador Pais said: "We are pleased to support transparent discussions among experts directly involved in judicial reform. We also welcome Amendments to the Constitution, which, if implemented correctly, will advance rule of law in the country."

Supreme Court Justices from Austria and Slovenia represented the International Judges Association and presented models from Europe that illustrate common standards for independence and efficiency.

Speakers from the Council of Europe and OSCE focused on the specific changes to the country's system of recruitment, training for judges and fielded questions about the proposed constitutional changes.

The conclusions of the roundtable will be shared with the CCE/ MJA Board members, the Ministry of Justice, Judicial Council, Supreme Court, all appellate and trial courts of the country, international organizations, as well as with other interested institutions.