The Judiciary as Macedonia’s Foundation Stone

On Monday we opened the latest part of our long-standing collaboration with Macedonia to develop and strengthen the country’s judicial system.

I joined Deputy Justice Minister Biljana Brishkovska-Boskoski, Judge Aneta Arnaudovska, Director of the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors in Skopje, and Judge Aleksandra Zafirovska, President of the Judicial Council of Macedonia, in welcoming Sir Robin Auld and his team from the Slynn Foundation in London.

Sir Robin and his colleagues were here for a two-day event which brings together British and Macedonian legal professionals to discuss and share their experience. The aim is to strengthen the independence of Macedonia’s judiciary and thereby to improve the quality of justice.

Rule of law is central to the reforms that the EU requires for accession.  But getting it right is essential regardless of the EU accession process.  The judicial system is the foundation stone of any democracy.  It is an essential part of a stable, fair and prosperous society.  It touches everyone’s lives directly or indirectly.

So, for that reason and because of the UK’s strength in this area, our collaboration with Macedonia is a key priority for this Embassy.

While the event with Sir Robin and his team is short – just two days – we believe it will make an important contribution.  It is not enough for a judicial system to be independent; it must also be seen to be independent.  Any perception that certain individuals or institutions get better treatment than others, weakens democracy, endangers stability, and undermines the economy.

The people must have trust in the rule of law.  And that trust begins with the judges.  If they are seen to be professional and independent, ensuring a level playing field for all, resisting attempts to influence decisions, then the system as a whole is more likely to earn the people’s trust.

So it is essential to appoint and promote the right judges.  And that is where Sir Robin comes in.  He was here to share his and the UK’s experience on the appointment, training, appraisal and promotion of judges. Of course, none of this can be achieved overnight.  But this latest event will have made a further small contribution to our joint efforts to strengthen the independence and quality of justice in Macedonia.  And I am delighted that we are able to continue this collaboration.

Charles Garrett, British Ambassador to Macedonia