site.btaEU Court of Justice President Supports Judicial Reform in Bulgaria

EU Court of Justice President Supports Judicial Reform in Bulgaria

Luxembourg, June 10 (BTA) - The President of the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU), Koen Lenaerts, supported the ideas in Bulgaria's draft amendments to the Judicial Power Act, as well as the remaining steps of the judicial reform in this country, the Justice Ministry said in a press release Friday. He was acquainted with the main changes in the organization and functions of the Judiciary's bodies by Bulgarian Justice Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva, who met with him in Luxerbourg.

Lenaerts praised the provisions on judges' self-governance and career development included in the second package of amendments to the Judicial Power Act, which is expected to be adopted by the Council of Ministers next week. In his words, the most important factor for the judicial reform's success is human capital.

Lenaerts, who is a Belgian national, noted that the structure of Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council is completely identical to the corresponding body in Belgium.

Minister Zaharieva and her host also discussed the plans for the establishment of a European Public Prosecutor's Office, as well as the nomination of another Bulgarian judge to the CJEU. Lenaerts noted the exceptional contribution of Bulgarian judges to the institution.

Bulgarian CJEU judge Alexander Arabadzhiev also attented the meeting.