Closing Event Marks the Completion of the Project “Enhancing the Efficiency, Accountability, and Transparency of the Judicial Council of North Macedonia”

Skopje, North Macedonia, 16th of April 2025

On the 16th of April 2025, the closing event of the project “Enhancing the Efficiency, Accountability, and Transparency of the Judicial Council of North Macedonia” was held in Skopje. This event marked the successful completion of a significant initiative aimed at strengthening the capacities and competencies of the Judicial Council (JC) of North Macedonia. The event brought together the members of the Judicial Council, representatives from the Dutch Embassy in North Macedonia, and project experts to reflect on the achievements of the four-year initiative.

Launched in September 2020 and implemented with the support of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Matra program, the project aimed to strengthen the capacities and competencies of the Judicial Council of North Macedonia. Despite a brief suspension between May 2023 and February 2024, the project ran successfully through April 2024, delivering measurable results in institutional performance, communication, transparency, and integrity. The closing event featured welcoming remarks by H.E. Özlem Canel, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to North Macedonia who stressed

“The two very important features of any justice system: integrity and resilience. This is what you need to work on. Understand what is your constitutional role, and fulfil it, regardless of pressures. The Kochani tragedy was a very difficult lesson on institutional responsibility.”

It also included remarks from Judge Aleksander Kambovski, President of the Judicial Council who stressed that

“the Dutch government was a true partner whose collaboration was based on shared values. The project is ending today, but this is also the starting point for future reforms”.

Their addresses reflected the shared commitment to judicial reform and the strengthening of democratic institutions in North Macedonia.

During the event, the project team presented the main outcomes, shared best practices, and highlighted lessons learned across the three components of this initiative. These insights reflect the progress achieved in increasing operational efficiency, fostering accountability, and promoting greater transparency within the Judicial Council. The success of this project would not have been possible without the strong and consistent cooperation of the all the Judicial Council members. Their dedication and openness to cooperation, have been instrumental throughout all phases of implementation. The partnership established over the years has proven both fruitful and enduring.

The event concluded with a strong message of continued collaboration. The cooperation between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and North Macedonia remains strong, and future efforts will continue to support the country’s path toward judicial excellence, democratic resilience, and European integration.