EU To Continue Support to Judicial Reform in Serbia   

BETAPHOTO/AMIR HAMZAGIC

EU Delegation to Serbia Head Emanuele Giaufret on Sept. 27 said that Brussels would continue to support Belgrade in judicial reforms and development of a set of relevant laws. According to Joffre, the EU has been working with the Serbian Justice Ministry on a budget of EUR30 million. 

Speaking at the presentation of first working versions of draft laws, Giaufret  stressed their importance for continuation of Serbia’s EU integration and strengthening independence and impartiality of the judiciary from the perspective of needs of citizens and businesses in Serbia. Giaufret  said that these draft laws were important for Chapters 23 and 24 on Serbia’s EU path.

First to undergo changes are the Law on Judges, the Law on Organization of Courts, the Law on Public Prosecution, the Law on High Judicial Council, and the Law on High Prosecutorial Council, while other judiciary related laws will be aligned with constitutional amendments within two years.

Giaufret  recalled that constitutional changes in the field of judiciary had been supported in a referendum, describing them as crucial for independence and impartiality of the judiciary. He stressed the importance of the Venice Commission’s opinion of these laws, noting that their implementation in practice would be of great importance for aligning Serbian legislation with that of the EU.