Building the rule of law remains one of the most difficult tasks in the process of the Republic of Moldova’s accession to the European Union. This is stated by President Maia Sandu, who noted that, although people’s trust in justice is increasing, the reform of the system is progressing more slowly than citizens and authorities would have wished. The statements were made at the Forum for Justice Reform and Combating Corruption, organized by the Legal Resources Center of Moldova, reports IPN.

The head of state mentioned that the reform has already produced positive changes, but drew attention to the large number of cases under review and the vacant positions in the system. According to her, the lack of staff increases the workload for those who have remained in justice, and the authorities need to focus on preparing a new generation of judges and prosecutors.

The President of CRJM, Ilie Chirtoaca, emphasized the importance of a direct dialogue between those who draft the laws and the professionals who apply them. According to him, the authors of the legislation need to be aware of the difficulties encountered in practice, and the representatives of the system should be able to signal the problems encountered in their daily activities.

Present at the event, the EU ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, Iwona Piorko, stated that justice reform and the fight against corruption play an essential role in the country’s European journey. She mentioned that progress in these areas is monitored in the accession process and emphasized the need to complete the external evaluation of judges and prosecutors in a consistent and credible manner.

In turn, the director of advocacy and programs at the Soros Foundation Moldova, Natalia Vilcu, spoke about the importance of people’s access to justice. A citizen-centered justice implies easy-to-understand procedures and simpler access to the institutions within the system, she said. Trust in justice, added Natalia Vilcu, cannot be built solely through communication, but is formed over time, depending on people’s experience with the institutions.

The Justice Reform and Anti-Corruption Forum, now in its 8th edition, brings together representatives of authorities, the judicial system, civil society and development partners.