The European Union today launched a two-year twinning project worth 2 million EUR to enable the transfer of EU best practices, experiences and specialized know-how between Spanish and Greek judiciaries, and the High Judicial Council and State Prosecutorial Council of the Republic of Serbia, in line with the harmonization of Serbian legislation with the EU acquis.
The project launch event was held on Wednesday 18th November in the Palace of Serbia and speakers included the Head of EU Delegation to Serbia, H.E. Mr. Michael Davenport, the Spanish Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Mr. Miguel Fuertes Suarez, the Greek Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Mr. Konstantinos Ikonomidis, the President of the Supreme Court of Cassation and the High Judicial Council of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Dragomir Milojevic and Deputy Republic Public Prosecutor, Member of the State Prosecutorial Council of the Republic of Serbia, Ms. Zorica Stojšić and  assistant misnistar in the Minister of Justice in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Čedomir Backović.

The High Judicial Council of the Republic of Serbia (HJC) and State Prosecutorial Council (SPC) of the Republic of Serbia were established in 2009 as the key bodies ensuring independence and autonomy of the judiciary. The Councils are responsible for defining the total number of positions of judges, prosecutors and deputy prosecutors and perform significant role in their selection, appointment, promotion, dismissal and disciplinary measures. They are also responsible for the administration of the budget for courts and prosecutors and are in process of takeover of all related financial responsibilities from the Ministry of Justice. The administrative offices of the two councils are responsible for performing professional, administrative and other affairs.
As stated in the National Judicial Reform Strategy (2013-2018), one of the key preconditions for successful functioning of the judiciary is to continue upgrading the capacities of the HJC and the SPC – as bodies guaranteeing independence and autonomy of courts and judges, and autonomy of public prosecutors and deputy prosecutors – in order to facilitate an efficient transfer of their competences entrusted by the Constitution and relevant laws.
In line with the actual needs to continue with institutional and professional capacity building of HJC and SPC, and in accordance with strategic directions given by the newly adopted National Judicial Reform Strategy (2013-2018), this EU funded Twinning Project is designed to help strengthen the overall capacities of the beneficiary institutions, in order to plan and implement necessary reforms.
This project aims to contribute to the improvements in the area of the HJC and SPC organisational structure and working procedures relevant for the execution of duties of these bodies, as well as to strengthening of their capacities for better performance of specific administrative functions/tasks, such as strategic and budget planning, human resource management, project management and internal audit. The project will also focus on strengthening the councils’ capacity in evaluation and promotion of judges, prosecutors and deputy prosecutors, strengthening their capacity to conduct disciplinary proceedings, Code of Ethics related activities, as well as improving the relationships with civil society.
Implementation of the project is carried out by a consortium between the Spanish General Prosecution Office and the Spanish General Council of the Judiciary in partnership with the Hellenic Ministry of Justice, Transparency and Human rights. During the period of 24 months experts from Spain and Greece, together with colleagues of the Serbian High Judicial Council and the State Prosecutorial Council will organize series of roundtables, workshops, trainings, conferences and study visits.
Contracting Authority for this project is Sector for contracting and financing of EU funded programmes (CFCU, Ministry of Finance), which is responsible for areas of payments, accounting, monitoring and reporting on implementation.