Keepin touch

Whether you have a question, comment, suggestion or any problem in the purview of the government, send us your message and we will try to respond as soon as possible. If your problem is not in our purview, we will forward your message to the relevant institution.

The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Judiciary in Serbia efficient, fair, independent

16 October 2007

Brussels, Oct 16, 2007 –Serbian Minister of Justice Dusan Petrovic said today in Brussels that as a result of fundamental reforms underway, the judiciary in Serbia will become efficient, fair and independent which means that cases will not be prolonged and crime will be controlled.

Following a meeting with European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security Franco Frattini and Directorate for Western Balkans at the Directorate-General for EU Enlargement Pierre Mirel, Petrovic said that he received support for such major reforms and for continuation of cooperation between the European Commission and Serbia in this area.

He confirmed that when the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) is signed between Serbia and the EU, the judiciary will be the area of chief importance regarding the implementation of this agreement.

The judiciary is the basis for an organised society where we may expect major investments and new jobs, said the Minister.

According to Petrovic, adoption of new laws and through changes in the regulation of court procedures, the judiciary will guarantee that cases are settled within a reasonable period of time and protect the rights of people.

Petrovic expressed the conviction that two key factors which guarantee this are that the High Judiciary Council will be elected and a law will be adopted according to which very clear rules will be defined for the appointment, promotion of judges and prosecutors.

Petrovic said that he presented a very clear plan for reforms of specialised judiciary and prosecution, such as special prosecutor’s offices for organised crime and war crimes.

He added that laws for freezing and confiscation of assets obtained through organised crime are underway, as well as amendments to the law on jurisdiction of state authorities in prosecution of war criminals.

Petrovic stated that, in a separate meeting, he informed Mirel on Serbia’s progress so far in the efforts to join the EU, and added that although there are many open policy issues, major progress has been made.

He said that the annual report by the European Commission on the progress made by Serbia in implementing reforms will reflect this.

He expressed the conviction that Serbia will realise its basic aim of joining the EU, and provide Serbian people the living standards of a developed country.

It is very important that the Constitutional Court be established in Serbia as soon as possible, said Petrovic and added that an open debate was held with European Commission officials on the time period in which this should be done.

He stressed that he reassured top European Commission officials in talks held today that Serbia is doing everything possible to conclude cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.

He said that it is important however, to give Serbia due credit for efforts made.

I am sure that all civil and military departments are doing everything in their power to remove this issue from the agenda, Serbian politics and society, said Petrovic.