Closing conference of two-year project "Support to more efficient, effective and modern operation and functioning of the Administrative Court" was held in Skopje on Wednesday.

The EU-funded project provided direct advisory support to the Administrative Court and High Administrative Court as well as the Ministry of Justice to appraise and step up the implementation of the reformed legal framework. The support in particular targeted the consolidation of the administrative legal framework, human resources management, operational efficiency and effectiveness, court and case management, strengthening the professional skills of the judges, legal support staff and court administration and improvement of the IT system of the court.

Head of the EU Delegation Aivo Orav stressed the system of administrative judiciary has a crucial role in the social and economic development of a country.

"Independence, professionalism and efficiency are three important components of every proper justice system. If one of these components fails then the entire judicial system is brought into question", said Orav.

According to him, much has been done in the field of administrative judiciary, primarily through law amendments, establishment of the High Administrative Court, as well as working group within the Justice Ministry over the new law on administrative disputes.

Vice Premier Teuta Arifi said the judicial system in every democratic country is the main pillar that guarantees the rule of law and protection of citizens' rights.

"All countries should be committed to establishing an independent and efficient judiciary that functions in the citizens' interest. Therefore, judiciary reforms represent one of the Government's main priorities", she added.

Arifi said the project would directly contribute to improvement in the functioning of judicial institutions, more efficient management of court cases, strengthening of professional skills among judges, as well as capacity enhancement of judicial administration.

"All projects, including this one, should be seen through the prism of the Macedonia-EU dialogue, which represents a big chance for us to accelerate the accession process", emphasized Arifi.

Justice Minister Blerim Bexheti said the key factor in modernization is the development of the administrative competence through the existence of the Administrative Court and High Administrative Court as specialized judicial institutions with nationwide competence.

"Specialized administrative judges are more important than ever before, since administrative law is becoming increasingly complex in times of globalization and increased technological development, with new fields emerging, such as industrial and environment laws", added Bexheti.