The Minister of Justice, Igor Filkov, participated in the two-day EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Internal Affairs, which is being held in Budva.
The forum reaffirmed the strong regional commitment and close cooperation for justice and internal affairs.
The European Union and the Western Balkans discussed recent developments in the digitalization of justice and exchanged views on the opportunities and main challenges of the potential for using interoperable solutions and new digital technologies, including artificial intelligence. The European Union provided an update on ongoing discussions in the EU, including efforts to digitize justice systems and electronic evidence.
The participants were also informed about the Framework Convention of the Council of Europe on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law.
On the second day of the forum dedicated to justice, Minister Igor Filkov in his address talked about two topics, "Justice in the digital era" and "Cross-border cooperation in criminal matters between partners from the Western Balkans".
"Given the enormous importance of digitalization in the 21st century, it is evident that it is necessary to find ways to establish e-justice, which will first of all be infrastructurally supported, but also in the function of realizing guaranteed human rights and the rule of law. Therefore, efforts are needed to find solutions that will correspond to the development of digital technology vis a vis the strengthening of the justice system.
The Republic of North Macedonia has recognized the challenges and opportunities that come with the digital transformation, which is reflected in the National Strategy for Information and Communication Technology 2023-2027. In the area of justice, the Ministry of Justice has developed a Strategy for digitization in the judiciary for the period 2019-2024.
Of course, in this transition we also face many challenges. Additional investments in technological equipment and staff training are needed, which undoubtedly requires financial and infrastructure support. It is also necessary to ensure that cyber-security is at the highest level, in order to protect the data and rights of all citizens," said Minister Filkov.
Minister of Justice, Igor Filkov, also referred to cross-border cooperation in criminal matters. Special emphasis was placed on the legal amendments for the protection of the rights of victims in cross-border cases, the compensation of damages as well as the cooperation of our country through Eurojustice.
On the sidelines of the two-day EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Internal Affairs, which was held in Budva, the Minister of Justice, Igor Filkov, held three bilateral meetings with the European Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, and with the Ministers of Justice of Hungary, Bence Tuzson and of Monte Negro, Bojan Bozovic.
