The Ministry of Justice must fully align constitutional amendments to recommendations recently made by the Venice Commission, the Minister of Justice of Serbia Nela Kuburovic told the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Sem Fabrizi, who noted that the EU had thus far invested over EUR85 million in judicial system in Serbia.
Kuburovic said that the Ministry of Justice will act in full respect of the Venice Commission recommendations and harmonise the draft amendments to the Commission’s opinion.
The two discussed Serbia’s future progress in EU negotiations, the implementation of chapter 23 Action Plan and the forthcoming adoption of constitutional amendments in the area of justice.
She said that chapter 23 Action Plan would undergo a review by the end of 2018 in order to harmonise that strategic document with activities envisaged for the coming period.
Speaking about the main activities set out in the Action Plan, the Minister said that drawing up of a constitutional amendments draft – aimed at strengthening of independence and accountability of the judicial system – was among Ministry’s top priorities.
Also, she cited efficient fight against corruption as one of the top priorities of both the Ministry and the Government as a whole.
Kuburovic said that the Parliament would soon be presented with the new Law on Lobbying and the Law on Anti-Corruption Agency. Apart from these two, the Government will also submit the Law on Personal Data Protection.
She stressed the importance of assistance provided by the EU. As one of the most tangible results, she cited the reconstruction of the Palace of Justice, funded through an EIB loan, a Ministry of Justice statement reads.
Fabrizi said that the EU had thus far invested over EUR85 million in the judicial system in Serbia and noted that a EUR2 million worth IPA project aimed at enhancing the capacity of the Ministry of Justice had been recently launched.
