Protocol on Cooperation between the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Macedonia



At the EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum, which was held under the Polish Presidency of the EU, on October 3 – 4, in Ohrid, Minister of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr Bariša Čolak, and the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Blerim Bexheti, signed the Protocol on Cooperation between the two Ministries. The Protocol strengthens and enhances cooperation in the area of judiciary and international legal assistance between the two countries, especially in terms of harmonization of judicial systems with the European and international standards.

Cooperation will be especially intensified through the exchange of information regarding harmonization of domestic legislation with EU legal regulations, organization of the judiciary, court and judicial administration, modernization of prison systems, and prevention and fight against all forms of organized crime and corruption, terrorism and other forms of serious crime. This Protocol provides the possibility for additional capacity building of both Ministries.

In general, cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Macedonia in civil and criminal matters is governed by the three agreements – Agreement on Legal Assistance in Civil and Criminal Matters, Agreement on Execution of Criminal Sanctions and Agreement on Property-Legal Relations. Cooperation is at very high level, and in this area there are no arguable issues between the two countries.