Academy for the training of judges and prosecutors opens in Skopje

SKOPJE, 7 March 2006 - Justice Minister, Meri Mladenovska-Gjorgjievska, has opened the Academy for the Training of Judges and Prosecutors in Skopje, marking the institutionalisation of continuing education work previously done by the domestic Association of Judges with support from the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje.

"The establishment of this Academy is an important step in the process of judicial reform that will increase professionalism in the judiciary and help to synchronize the application and interpretation of laws," said Ambassador Carlos Pais, Head of the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, who attended the opening event yesterday evening.

"Continuing education of judges and prosecutors is crucial to the continued functioning of rule of law in any country, because laws are continually being revised and new treaties and international conventions are being ratified."

The OSCE Mission will work with the new Academy as it trains new judges and prosecutors and sets the yearly continuing education requirements for existing members of the judiciary.