“The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Serbia has been paying great attention to the improvement of the judicial infrastructure and the work conditions of all those working in the judiciary, as well as putting resources and efforts to that end”, said Minister of Justice Nikola Selaković during today’s visit to the renovated rooms of the Basic Court, the High Court and the Misdemeanour Court in Pirot.
Selaković stressed that the renovation of the Basic and the High Court and the refurbishment of the Misdemeanour Court in Pirot had been made possible due to the efforts of the partnering organisations - IMG sponsored by the Kingdom of Norway Government and USAID sponsored by the United States of America. He also recalled when these two organisations selflessly helped the renovation of other courts in Serbia: IMG - the Basic Court in Užice and Leskovac, and USAID - 11 misdemeanour courts.
Speaking about future investment plans, Minister Selaković highlighted that cooperation with the two organisations would be continued and added that one of the largest projects with USAID in the following period would be the reconstruction of the building in Ustanička Street which would accommodate the sole Misdemeanour Court in Belgrade.
“Priority of the Ministry of Justice is good cooperation with international organisations which is not only directed towards the improvement of working conditions in judicial institutions, but also the exchange of knowledge and experience in work organisation and successful management of judicial institutions”, stated Selaković. He added that investing in judicial institutions created much improved work conditions for not only the judges and the prosecutors, but also all others working in the judiciary.
Selaković recalled that the 2009 mistake of cutting several judicial posts in the Basic Court in Pirot, which resulted in a greater number of open cases, had recently been corrected during one of the High Judicial Council sessions. He added that the increase in the number of judges in the Basic Court in Pirot would add to the court’s quality of performance.
The Kingdom of Norway Ambassador to Serbia Nils Ragnar Kamsvag assured that the renovation of the Basic and High Court in Pirot would promote availability and reliability of the judicial organs among the people.
U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Michael Kirby commended the Ministry of Justice for putting its own resources into the renovation of the judicial institutions, especially the courts in Belgrade, aside those of the international organisations.