(Sarajevo, 26 January 2024) – The successful implementation of the first phase of the EU Support to BiH’s Justice Reforms Project has yielded positive outcomes, including an increased number of convictions in organised crime and corruption cases, enhanced indictment quality, and strategic measures aimed at reducing backlog in a planned and systemic manner. An important milestone has been made with the signing of the Protocol on Cooperation between the HJPC BiH and highest instance courts paving the way for more focused efforts on harmonizing case law. The project’s results were presented at a conference in Sarajevo on 26 January 2024, attended by over 130 representatives from the judiciary, ministries of justice, international organizations, media and non-governmental organizations.
Halil Lagumdzija, the President of the HJPC BiH, stated: “The commitment of the HJPC BiH to improving the rule of law and aligning the judiciary with European standards is evident in the successful implementation of this project. It significantly contributes to the application of measures outlined in the 2021-2023 Reform Agenda, addressing the quality, integrity, and efficiency of the judiciary, as well as the fight against organised crime and corruption, and the enhancement of HJPC BiH capacities and cooperation with external stakeholders.”
The EU funded project strategically focused on improving integrity, accountability, transparency, efficiency, performance quality of the judiciary. Project activities were directed towards the work with the domestic judicial institutions, relevant ministries, chambers of commerce, law enforcement agencies, non-governmental organisations, media, academic community and other relevant partners.
EU Ambassador Johann Sattler highlighted: “2024 is a year of opportunities on the EU accession path for BiH. This week, we had a very important visit, led by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen who underlined that the doors to the EU are open if BiH leaders are willing to go through. The Growth Plan, which could bring over €1 billion to Bosnia and Herzegovina is also important. Strengthening the rule of law is key to taking advantage of both of these opportunities. In this context, it is important that the HJPC leads by example by upholding the highest standards. I would like thank the HJPC for our cooperation and encourage all stakeholders to use the next weeks and months to make progress in the rule of law and the functioning of the judiciary.“.
The Director of the Secretariat of the HJPC of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Admir Suljagic, expressed gratitude to the European Union for its continuous support in the process of building an efficient and accessible judiciary, stressing that the announcement of the continuation of activities initiated in the first phase of the project underscores the commitment to further harmonizing the judicial system of Bosnia and Herzegovina with EU legislation and European standards.
In the second part of the conference, a panel discussion on the new HJPC BiH Reform Program provided an overview of its development. As presented, this HJPC Reform Programme covers the period from 2024 to 2026 and its adoption is expected in February this year. The Reform Program comprises strategic commitments and activities of the HJPC BiH aimed at improving the judiciary, aligned with the HJPC legal competencies and recommendations from relevant international experts and organizations.
The discussion also delved into the reform path of the BiH judiciary and its significance for the country’s accession to the European Union. Highlighting the importance of this Program, in which the EU4Justice Project team contributes significantly, it was emphasized that its adoption is crucial for strengthening the rule of law in BiH, a prerequisite for opening accession negotiations with the EU. Isabelle Arnal, the Head of the Project, highlighted that the Project would continue to support aligning of the judiciary with the EU standards, particularly through the improvement of a monitoring and reporting mechanism with aim to enhance transparency and accountability of HJPC.
For more information please contact: Dalila Hadzic, Communication and Visibility Officer for IPA support to the BiH judiciary, at 033 704 601.
