Rule of law and reforms in that area are of highest importance for the process of European integration

January 25 2023 | Belgrade

Rule of law and reforms in that area are of highest importance for the process of European integration

The rule of law and the changes brought about by the reforms in the area of the rule of law are the most important element for improving the everyday life of every citizen of Serbia, but they are also the most important for those who deal with European integration, said Minister of European Integration Tanja Miščević.

Speaking at the conference “Tackling State Capture in Southeast Europe: Delivering on the European Rule of Law Promise”, Miščević said that the fight against corruption is equally important.

According to her, Serbia is close to starting the procedure with the parliament to implement key amendments when it comes to the judiciary, that is, judges and prosecutors.

“Currently, we have a working group that is not only cross-sectoral in terms of state institutions of the Government of Serbia but also includes civil society, as well as professional associations.

Fight against corruption is not only about having a possibility for preventive measures but also about having punitive measures and being as efficient as possible”, Miščević said.

And by that she does not mean that it is not being worked on now. In this sense, she states that there are plans and that several sectors are looking for ways to be as effective as possible in the fight against corruption.

She also reminded that, in the new methodology, the area of the rule of law is not placed in only one part, one chapter or one action plan. 

“It is now part of Cluster 1, which is extremely important and focused on anti-corruption measures that will be included in all or most of the chapters we have in the process. We have to keep that in mind when we prepare for the opening and closing of chapters”, Miščević said.

According to her, cooperation with civil societies in the fight against corruption is important, and she assesses civil societies as a strong and resilient instrument.

She emphasises that it is necessary to talk with civil societies about the rule of law and that this is the way in which Serbia will continue to cooperate not only in the rule of law reform and fight against corruption, but on all matters in this country.

The conference is organised by the European Policy Centre (CEP) and the Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD) from Sofia, and is held within the project “Implementing Shared Anti-Corruption and Good Governance Solutions in Southeast Europe: Innovative Practices and Public–Private Partnership”.

The project aims to provide shared anti-corruption solutions for increasing the accountability of state institutions and strengthening civil society and the rule of law in Southeast Europe through capacity building for the application of best practices of European instruments for innovation in social research.

Source: Tanjug