The strong commitment of international donors to judicial independence and efficiency in Bosnia and Herzegovina was underlined at a high level ceremony in Sarajevo today.
The Signing Ceremony of the Grant Agreement for the EU funded project (IPA 2010) “Strengthening the Judiciary of BiH” between the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HJPC BiH) and the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the signing of the Statement of Cooperation on the Promotion of Judicial Efficiency in Bosnia and Herzegovina between the HJPC BiH, the EU Delegation to BiH, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in BiH and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden in BiH, took place today in the HJPC BiH premises.
The Grant Agreement for the implementation of this project, for which EU has allocated 1 million Euros from IPA 2010, was signed by Mr. Milorad Novkovic, President of the HJPC BiH and Ambassador Peter Sorensen, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina/EU Special Representative.
Ambassador Sorensen said: “Bosnia and Herzegovina’s judiciary is one of the three pillars upholding its democracy. And for this pillar to be solid, the judiciary must be efficient, credible, accountable and of course, independent. There is no choice in this matter. It is simply essential if citizens want to live in a country where their rights are protected and their interests are preserved.”
President Novkovic thanked to the guests and friends of the judiciary of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Governments of Norway and Sweden.
“They are valuable friends who have come together to ensure the realisation of a common objective through the joint effort, which is strengthening of the judiciary of Bosnia and Herzegovina and establishment of a fully functional justice sector in our country in accordance with the best European standards. Only a strong, professional, efficient and independent judiciary, free of all influences, can readily and effectively respond to all challenges we are facing and also be able to fully implement and incorporate all European standards and ultimately make us a proud member of one big family, the EU family”. said President Novkovic.
The project is a continuation of EU support and contributes to the same overall objectives of the Cooperation Agreement. This will be achieved through enhanced information and communication technology software and tools within courts and prosecutor offices throughout the country. It also aims to improve their work processes, practices and capacities with the ultimate aim of better serving the citizens of BiH. The Grant Agreement will be complemented by 1.8 million euro of information and communication technology supplies for courts and prosecutor offices nationwide also financed under the IPA 2010 annual programme.
The Statement of Cooperation was signed by Mr. Novkovic, HJPC BiH President, Ambassador Sorensen, Head of the EU Delegation to BiH/EU Special Represantive, Mr. Bosse Hedberg, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ms. Vibeke Lilloe, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Swedish Ambassador Bosse Hedberg said, “Like the EU and Norway, Sweden has already invested considerable funding to assist the HJPC as part of our support for the BiH justice sector. The total Swedish contribution to the HJPC since 2009 amounts to appr. 7 million euro. I wish to fully endorse what was just said by Ambassador Peter Sorensen. In particular to emphasize the importance of not reversing judicial reforms or undermining the competence of the HJPC. I would also recall the understanding reached with BiH that legislative changes in the justice sector should be handled within the frame of the Structured dialogue and in close consultations with the EU.”
Norwegian Ambassador Vibeke Lilloe said, “Norway has been a long standing supporter of the judicial reform process in Bosnia Herzegovina. A reformed judiciary has the potential to improve the lives of the citizens of BiH and the business environment for its companies. That is why we strongly believe that these reforms should be irreversible. I am therefore deeply concerned by the recent political suggestions to undermine the competencies of the HJPC with regard to the appointment of prosecutors.”
The objective of the Joint Statement of Cooperation is to emphasise the donors’ continued support for judicial efficiency throughout BiH as led by the HJPC. In so doing all three donors strive towards the realisation of the same results, i.e. an independent, efficient and professional judiciary in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Taking into account the importance of the Structured Dialogue on Justice between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina for the continued reform of the judiciary, the signing parties to the Joint Statement stress that they will collectively and consistently direct their support towards the achievement of the objectives as set forth in the relevant National strategies, as well as the objectives that stem from the EU integration process for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Collectively, over the coming 3 years the three donors will contribute 18 million euro in support of all courts and prosecutors throughout BiH as led by the HJPC.
