In its 2024 Report on North Macedonia, the European Commission, presented on Wednesday in Brussels, says constant and determined steps are needed to speed up implementation of reforms and progress on the EU path. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stated that enlargement remained central to the geopolitical approach of Brussels.
“Cross-party collaboration is essential to accelerate the implementation of EU-related reforms, in the interest of citizens. Despite attempts, thus far, no progress was made on adopting the constitutional changes, with a view to including in the Constitution citizens who live within the borders of the State and who are part of other peoples, such as Bulgarians, as referred to in the Council Conclusions of 18 July 2022, which the country committed to launch and achieve,” it is said in the document.
Regarding the judicial system, the Commission says it is between having some and a moderate level of preparation, and made limited progress.
“The country adopted a new Strategy for Judicial Reform (2024-2028) and a roadmap on chapter 23 and has started to implement the recommendations of the 2023 peer review mission on the Judicial Council. The new government’s announcements of plans to ‘dissolve’ the Judicial and Prosecution Councils are a matter of serious concern, as such actions would undermine the independence of the judiciary.
The rising deficit in human resources in the judiciary raises concerns for impacting the quality and efficiency of justice. The Commission’s recommendations from last year were only partially implemented and are therefore largely valid,” the Commission points out, adding that, in the coming year, North Macedonia should, in particular: adopt a new Law on civil procedure, in line with European standards and start implementing the new strategy on judicial reform; strengthen the Judicial Council by revising the legislative framework and its overall functioning to enhance its transparency and independence, in line with the recommendations of the 2023 peer review mission, and step up the implementation of the human resources strategies for the judiciary and the prosecution; and ensure that the automated court case management information system (ACCMIS) is fully functional and compatible with level of complexity of court cases and the method for assessing judges and presidents of courts.
When it comes to preventing and fighting corruption, North Macedonia is between having some level of preparation and a moderate level of preparation, and made no progress.
“Corruption remains prevalent in many areas and is an issue of serious concern. The current government has stated that the fight against corruption is a priority. The institutional framework for the fight against corruption is in place and is satisfactory in terms of preventive measures.
However, improvement is needed on law enforcement. The newly composed State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (SCPC) started its mandate on 8 February 2024. It is critical that it acts with the highest level of professionalism, integrity, and independence. It needs to continue to provide proactively policy guidance to prevent corruption, and to work in an inclusive and transparent manner. Its recommendations need to be effectively followed up.
To enhance the performance of the SCPC, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, investigative centres and law enforcement units should all receive additional human resources and financial support. Strategic documents have been adopted and the legal framework for the fight against corruption is in place but needs to be improved, both in terms of preventive measures and law enforcement.
The amendments to the Criminal Code of September 2023 weakened the legal framework, negatively affecting the prosecution of corruption, especially in high-level cases. Many ongoing cases were terminated either because the statute of limitations had expired or because specific offences, such as the abuse of office in public procurement, no longer exist,” the document says, adding that the Commission’s recommendations from last year were not fully addressed and therefore remain valid. In the coming year, according to the Report, North Macedonia should, inter alia, in particular, adopt a new Criminal Code in line with the EU acquis and international standards.