Moldovan president says blockage overcome, CSM can take decisions on work of judges, courts

Chisinau, 30 March /MOLDPRES/ - The Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), starting from today, can take decisions on the work of magistrates and courts and thus has overcome the blockage recorded so far. President Maia Sandu made statements to this effect at a news conference held jointly with Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić in Chisinau.   

Head of state Maia Sandu stressed that today the officials had discussed the agenda of the Moldova-Council of Europe cooperation. ‘’We appreciate the support provided in the field of defence of human rights, consolidation of the democratic processes and institutions, holding of free elections, independence of the mass media and the justice reform. The justice reform remains a priority for us; we cannot have rights guaranteed by the state without a functional and fairs justice. Therefore, we will continue the changes underway, despite the difficulties faced and the resistance put up by some people from this sector. Today, the parliament appointed new members non-judges of CSM out of people who had passed the integrity evaluation. The reform of the Supreme Court of Justice is on the parliament’s agenda. At the same time, the government and parliament will prepare the legal framework for the setting up of the Anticorruption Court, which will consider the big files and the cases of corruption in justice,’’ Maia Sandu said.    

For her part, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić reiterated that Moldova would receive every needed support for continuing carrying out the reforms. ‘’I congratulate you on the determination you have in implementing the reforms. This represents an essential thing in the strengthening of the country’s institutions and advancement in the European integration process.  We appreciate the country’s achievements and we are prepared to provide every needed backing in the carrying out of the justice reform and fight against corruption. The Council of Europe’s experts can guide you in the making of these efforts,’’ the official said.

Marija Pejčinović Burić pays an official visit to Moldova, at an invitation by the head of state. Moldova became Council of Europe member state 28 years ago.