Justice Minister says new laws could be amended if Venice Commission objects

He said that the main objection to the laws from the European Union was that the European Commission was not consulted. According to him, Commission officials did not say the laws are a step backwards but a possible step backwards. He added that official Belgrade is prepared to amend the laws if the Venice Commission has objections but will not stop their implementation. He said the Justice Ministry will monitor and inform the European Commission on the implementation of the laws daily.

Vujic said the EU is concerned because it believes that the set of laws will cause problems for the Organized Crime Prosecution (TOK). The minister visited Brussels last week for talks with EC officials and avoided reporters, preferring to issue a short statement instead.

Under the new laws, prosecutors on temporary assignment will have to return to their original posts. The TOK has just 9 permanent prosecutors along with 11 others on temporary assignment but should have a total of 25 permanent prosecutors.