Justice Ministry welcomes urgent opinion of Venice Commission

Chisinau, 23 January /MOLDPRES/- The Ministry of Justice (MJ) is open for a sincere and intense collaboration with the Venice Commission, in order to implement the best European standards on strengthening independence of judicial system in Moldova. MJ made the statement following the publication by the Venice Commission of the urgent opinion on the amendments to Law No947/96 on Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM).

According to the opinion, the proposal on increasing the number of CSM members from 12 to 15 is a welcome one, the number of representatives from the first court being adjusted. It is also appreciated that the non-judge members of the council will be elected by the majority of the deputies.

At the same time, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić notes in a statement on judicial reform in the Republic of Moldova, published on the website www.coe.int, that the Moldovan authorities should set a clear strategic concept for changes.

"This concept should have the active support of all stakeholders and reflect the country's obligations as a member of the Council of Europe. The concept should provide an appropriate strategic vision for the planned reforms and be based on a detailed assessment to justify and explain the legislative and policy initiatives to be taken. The institutions will have to work together constructively and without haste to achieve these important objectives, ”the European official said.

Marija Pejčinović Burić also points out the need to strengthen the anti-corruption framework and to guarantee the independence of the main institutions responsible for preventing and combating corruption.

The draft amendment to the Law on the Superior Council of Magistracy was submitted today for promulgation.