Today, the first draft of a revised Chapter 23 Action Plan was presented at a round table in Belgrade. The presentation was attended by all the relevant representatives of the judicial institutions, civil society organisations, and international institutions.
Justice Minister Nela Kuburović noted that the Ministry of Justice was expecting the competent institutions and civil sector representatives to share their written submissions in the upcoming period, which would then be consolidated and together with the revised Action Plan draft submitted to Brussels for an expert review.
Minister Kuburović stressed that the consultation meeting was merely the first phase of preparing the final draft of a revised Action Plan, given that it was going to be submitted to the European Commission by the end of the month. She explained that only after the recommendations have been incorporated into the revised Action Plan would the Ministry of Justice begin to organise a public debate, invite all the competent authorities to submit their objections and opinions, and hold round table discussions. “Most importantly, the process will be inclusive. Just as we held wide-ranging and widely inclusive public debates on system statutes which the Ministry was initiating, we held them for the draft Amendments to the Constitution. Therefore, we expect the same level of inclusivity for the crucial strategic document that is the Action Plan”, Kuburović explained.
Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović said that the great progress which had been achieved in the rule of law became visible during 2018, and that the implementation of everything that had been adopted would become even more visible to the citizens of Serbia. Minister Joksimović reflected on the entire inclusive and transparent process of the constitutional amendments which concerned the election of those holding judicial office, and the adoption of the respective statutes. “These are key steps in Serbia meeting its obligations towards its citizens, and those stemming from the negotiations process defined by Chapters 23 and 24 which are essential to the country’s overall EU-integration progress”, the Minister highlighted.
Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Mateja Norčič Štamcar stated that Chapter 23 was demanding, that it required a long process of reform implementation. She added that Chapter 23 Action Plan was a Serbian document, a means to an end, but not the end itself.
Head of the Negotiating Team for the Republic of Serbia’s Accession to the European Union Tanja Miščević said that the goal of revising the Action Plan was to implement transitional measures which had been complemented by measures and activities which were in line with the implementation of the measures taken and the analysis of that implementation.
The presentation of the draft of the revised Chapter 23 Action Plan was organised with the support of the European Union which was funding the EU for Justice – Support for Chapter 23 Project.