The European union on Friday 10 March presented to the Serbian Prosecutorial Council a set of recommendations to increase its efficiency, which were developed within a Twinning project funded by the EU and implemented by experts from Spain and Greece. These recommendations are linked to actions foreseen in the Action Plan for Chapter 23 which sets out commitments of the Republic of Serbia concerning justice reforms. They are aimed at strengthening the Council’s capacities for a better performance in their specific administrative functions/tasks, such as strategic and budget planning, human resource management, donor’s assistance management and internal audit.
On behalf of the EU Delegation, Mr. Enrico Visentin addressed the members of the Serbian Prosecutorial Council. “The EU strongly believes that implementing EU standards is a necessary step towards a stronger and more efficient independence of the judiciary. These recommendations relate to the areas of selection of prosecutors, their career advancement and evaluation of work, as well as strengthening of the work of disciplinary proceedings, the system of administrative control of the public prosecution. We are looking forward to the feedback of the Council on these recommendations as well as to concrete measures and next steps for their implementation” Enrico Visentin said.
The set of recommendations were then presented by Borja Jimenez, expert on EU Twinning project. The Twinning project aims to support the High Judicial Council and State Prosecutorial Council to improve their organisational structure and working procedures which are relevant for successful execution of their duties. In particular, the project focuses on strengthening both Councils’ capacity in appointment, evaluation and promotion of judges, prosecutors and deputy prosecutors, conducting the disciplinary proceedings and the enforcement of the Code of Ethics. The project, which started in August 2015, is funded by the EU with €2 million and implemented by a consortium lead by Spanish Public Administration.
