NORTH MACEDONIA - Request for an amicus curiae
20/12/2024
Strasbourg – By letter dated 20 November 2024, the President of the Constitutional Court of North Macedonia requested an Amicus Curiae brief on international and European standards on the use of minority languages in public life and in the judiciary.
The draft joint Amicus curiae brief will be submitted for adoption at the 142nd Plenary Session of the Commission (Venice, 14-15 March 2025).
05/11/2024 - 05/11/2024
Skopje – Following the presidential and parliamentary elections held in North Macedonia on 24 April and 8 May 2024, the Venice Commission and the State Election Commission of North Macedonia (SEC) organised a post-election workshop for members and staff of the SEC and of several Municipal Election Commissions of the city of Skopje and surrounding areas.
The workshop, which took place in Skopje on 5 November 2024, brought together election officials, representatives of the Venice Commission and international experts. It focussed on lessons learned from the 2024 elections, in partic... read more
24/04/2024
Skopje - Representatives of the Venice Commission accompanied the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) election observation delegation to advise it on the legal framework for the presidential elections (first round on 24 Avril and second round on 8 May 2024), and for the parliamentary elections of 8 May 2024 in North Macedonia.
The delegation participated in joint briefings with other international organisations, before and after the elections, and observed the opening, voting and counting processes.
15/09/2021
In the framework of the preparation of the opinion on the draft Law on the State of Emergency of North Macedonia, a delegation of the Venice Commission met online with the representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Constitutional Court, the Ombudsman, the majority and the opposition political parties present in the Assembly as well as of the NGOs.
The draft opinion will be submitted for adoption at the 128th session of the Commission (15-16 October 2021).
The opinion is prepared under the Expert Coordination Mechanism in the framework of the EU/CoE joint programme H... read more
09/08/2021
By note verbale dated 6 August 2021, the Permanent Representation of North Macedonia with the Council of Europe requested a Venice Commission opinion on the draft Law on the State of Emergency.
The Commission will prepare a draft opinion with a view to adoption at the 128th Plenary Session of the Venice Commission.
26/03/2021
By letter dated 15 March 2021 the Minister of Labor and Social Policy of Republic of North Macedonia requested an opinion of the Venice Commission on the draft law on gender equality.
The draft opinion will be submitted for adoption at the 127th plenary session of the Commission in July 2021.
05/09/2019 - 06/09/2019
Skopje – In the framework of the preparation of the draft opinion on the law on the use of languages of North Macedonia, a Venice Commission delegation traveled to Skopje on 5-6 September 2019 to exchange views with the authorities and the representatives of the non-majority communities.
The draft opinion was on the agenda of the October 2019 plenary session of the Commission. The preparation of this draft opinion was funded through the framework of the "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey", a joint programme funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe... read more
05/05/2019
Skopje - A delegation of the Venice Commission accompanied the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) election observation delegation to advise on the legal framework of the 2nd round of the presidential election held on 5 May 2019 in North Macedonia.
The delegation observed the opening, voting and counting processes of the 1st round of the elections.
19/04/2019 - 22/04/2019
Skopje - A delegation of the Venice Commission accompanied the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) election observation delegation to advise on the legal framework of the 1st round of the presidential election held on 21 April 2019 in North Macedonia.
The delegation observed the opening, voting and counting processes of the 1st round of the elections.
23/01/2019
Prime Minister of “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” Mr Zoran Zaev requested an opinion of the Venice Commission on the Law on the Use of Languages.
28/11/2018
The Prime Minister has requested the opinion of the Venice Commission on the draft law amending the Law on Courts.
29/09/2018 - 01/10/2018
Skopje – A delegation of the Venice Commission accompanied the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) referendum observation delegation to advise on the legal framework of the consultative referendum, to be held on 30 September 2018, related to the bilateral agreement signed with Greece on 17 June 2018.
This agreement envisaged constitutional amendments that would have changed the name of the country to the “Republic of North Macedonia”. This agreement would have also led to the EU and NATO membership talks.
The PACE delegation observed the opening, voti... read more
06/06/2018
On 22 May 2018 the Ministry of Justice of “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” requested an opinion on two laws on the judiciary: the law on the amendments to the Law on Courts and the law on the amendments to the Law on the Judicial Council. The draft opinion was on the agenda of the October 2018 plenary session of the Commission.
The preparation of this opinion was carried out in the framework of "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey", a Joint Programme funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.
30/05/2018 - 31/05/2018
Skopje - The Venice Commission participated in the 10th anniversary of the Association of Mediterranean Ombudsmen and to the 20th anniversary of the Ombudsman of "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia".
On this occasion a conference on “Ombudsman as a protector of the social, cultural and environmental rights” was organised by the Ombudsman of "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia".
The participation of several Ombudsmen was covered by the programme “Ensuring Sustainable Democratic and Human Rights in the Southern Mediterranean” funded by the European Union and ... read more
29/01/2018 - 30/01/2018
Skopje – a delegation of the Venice Commission visited Skopje in the framework of the preparation of an opinion on the draft law on prevention and protection against discrimination. The delegation exchanged views with representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the Ministry of Justice, the civil society, the international organisations, the Office of Ombudsman as well as Members of the National Assembly and of the Commission for protection against discrimination.
The draft opinion was on the agenda of the March 2018 plenary session of the Venice Commission.
08/01/2018
The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" requested the Venice Commission’s opinion on the draft law on prevention and protection against discrimination.
The draft opinion was on the agenda of March 2018 session of the Commission.
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - Long-term legal assistance to the State Election Commission - 28/08 - 24/11/2017
27/11/2017
Skopje – The Venice Commission provided a long-term legal assistance to the State Election Commission with a view to the good administration of the 2017 October local elections.
This activity falls in the framework of the "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey", a joint programme funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.
30/05/2017 - 01/06/2017
Skopje – An expert of the Venice Commission participated in several meetings in the electoral field in Skopje from 30 May to 1 June. The meetings took place in the framework of a workshop organised by the State Election Commission in cooperation with the Venice Commission, the OSCE and the IFES.
The workshop was partially financed by the "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey", a Joint Programme funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.
This workshop on electoral dispute resolution was aimed at f... read more
15/03/2017 - 15/06/2017
Skopje - An expert from the Venice Commission assists the State Election Commission in Skopje by means of providing legal and technical advice. This long term assistance mission was put in place with a view to the municipal elections scheduled for May 2017.
This activity is part of the "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey", a Joint Programme funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.
23/01/2017 - 26/01/2017
Skopje - At the request of the State Election Commission of "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia", a delegation of the Venice Commission undertook a fact-finding mission with a view to defining the modalities of a long term technical assistance.
The delegation met with national and international stakeholders and joined the State Election Commission in its retreat.
09/12/2016 - 12/12/2016
Skopje - A delegation of the Venice Commission accompanies the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) delegation to advise on the legal framework of the early parliamentary elections scheduled on 11 December 2016 in "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia". The PACE delegation is to observe the opening, voting and counting processes of the early parliamentary elections.
21/09/2016 - 22/09/2016
Skopje - A delegation of the Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR - two organisations preparing a joint opinion on the Election Code amended in November 2015 - will meet representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Central Election Commission, the major political parties, the State Audit Office, the public broadcaster and the civil society.
The Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe requested the opinion of the Venice Commission on the Electoral Code of "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" amended in November 2015. Following this request a... read more
Request for opinion - “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”
25/05/2016
Council of Europe, Strasbourg - the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly requested the opinion of the Venice Commission on the amended electoral code of November 2015 of “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”.
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – forthcoming opinion - a visit of the delegation of the Venice Commission
08/02/2016 - 09/02/2016
Skopje - Following a request submitted in December 2015 by the Macedonian authorities, a group of rapporteurs of the Venice Commission visited Skopje on 8 and 9 February 2015 to meet the local stakeholders and to discuss with them the two laws adopted in 2015 – the Law on the protection of privacy and the law on the protection of whistleblowers.
The opinion was then drafted and submitted for adoption at the March 2016 plenary session of the Venice Commission.
“The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” – request for opinion
01/12/2015
The authorities of “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” requested the Venice Commission’s opinion on the recent Laws on the Protection of Privacy and on the Protection of Whistleblowers.
The “former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” – consultations concerning the judiciary
12/11/2015 - 13/11/2015
Skopje - Following a request by the European Commission, the Venice Commission examines Macedonian legislation concerning the disciplinary liability of judges, with a view of preparing an opinion. It will be submitted for adoption by the December 2015 Plenary Session of the Venice Commission.
A delegation of the Venice Commission visits Skopje on 12 and 13 November 2015 where it will have meetings with the representatives of the national authorities, judges and of the civil society concerned.
“The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” – request for opinion
02/10/2015
On 2 October 2015 the Directorate of Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) of the European Commission requested an opinion of the Venice Commission on the legislation of the “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” related to the disciplining and dismissal of judges and their professional evaluation.
19/09/2014
Skopje - The Venice Commission participated the International Conference on the topic: Contemporary Challenges of the Constitutional Judiciary: 1. The principle of separation of powers and its protection by the Constitutional Court and 2. Constitutional review of by-laws, organized by the Constitutional Court, the OSCE Mission to Skopje and the Rule of Law Program South East Europe.
“The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” – forthcoming opinion on constitutional amendments - visit to the country
08/09/2014 - 10/09/2014
Skopje – following a request for the Venice Commission’s opinion on a number of draft constitutional amendments, concerning, in particular, the composition of the Judicial Council, the powers of the Constitutional Court, the creation of a special financial zone and several other issues, a delegation of the Commission visits the country and meets with the authorities in order to discuss those amendments. The delegation will also hold discussions with representatives of opposition parties, professional associations and civil society.
"The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” - request for opinion
05/08/2014
The Minister of Justice of "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” requested the Venice Commission to provide an opinion on 7 amendments to the Constitution concerning, in particular, the Judicial Council, the competence of the Constitutional Court, and the State Audit Office.
25/04/2014 - 28/04/2014
Skopje - A the request of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the Venice Commission ensures legal assistance to the Election Observation Mission of the Assembly in the context of the early parliamentary elections of 27 April 2014.
A 21-member delegation of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), headed by Mr Stefan Schennach (Austria, SOC), visits the country from 25 to 28 April to observe the conduct of the presidential election, alongside observers from the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the OSCE.
The... read more
11/04/2014 - 14/04/2014
Skopje - A the request of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the Venice Commission ensures legal assistance to the Election Observation Mission of the Assembly in the context of the presidential elections of 13 April 2014.
A 21-member delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly, headed by Mr Stefan Schennach (Austria, SOC), visits the country from 11 to 14 April to observe the conduct of the presidential election, alongside observers from the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the OSCE.
The delegation is due to meet the c... read more
30/10/2013 - 31/10/2013
Skopje - At the invitation of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, an election expert of the Venice Commission takes part in international conference on Political Party and Campaign Financing. This Conference is organised by the OSCE Mission, the European Union Delegation and the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption.
The former yugoslav Republic of Macedonia- Meetings on the electoral reform
15/05/2013 - 16/05/2013
A joint Delegation of the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR met with different stakeholders to discuss the electoral reform before the submission of the Joint Opinion on the Electoral legislation in the Plenary of June 2013.
International conference on the principle of subsidiarity - " Strengthening subsidiarity : integrating the Court's case-law into national and judicial practice"
01/10/2010 - 02/10/2010
Skopje - This conference was organised in the framework of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Chairmanship of "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia".
Three members of the Venice Commission took active part in this event.
Media, Beliefs and Religions - international conference
13/09/2010 - 14/09/2010
“Media, Beliefs and Religions - the Role of the Media in fostering intercultural Dialogue, Tolerance and mutual Understanding: Freedom of Expression in the Media and Respect towards cultural and religious Diversity.”
Ohrid - This Conference is organised in the framework of the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe of “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” and of the 2010 Council of Europe Exchange on the Religious Dimension of Intercultural Dialogue.
Mrs Flanagan is representing the Venice Commission and its relevant work.
"the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" - electoral reform
17/03/2010 - 18/03/2010
Skopje - In the framework of the ongoing electoral reform, a representative of the Secretariat of the Venice Commission and an elections expert participated in meetings with the Working Group on the electoral reform and other stakeholders.
"the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" - Seminar of the
Skopje School of Politics
26/03/2009 - 29/03/2009
Kocani - Prof. Tanja Karakamisheva, Substitute Member of the Venice Commission, participated in a Seminar concerning the situation of the country during and post the elections, organised of the Political Affairs Directorate of the Council of Europe.
"the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" - Legal Advice to the Parliamentary Assembly
19/03/2009 - 23/03/2009
Skopje - At the invitation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), a member of the Venice Commission Secretariat took part to the Observation Mission of the Parliamentary Assembly as legal advisor during the 22 March presidential election. His mandate was to advise the PACE delegation on the legal aspects of the elections.
"the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" - Training Workshop for trainers
02/03/2009 - 03/03/2009
Skopje - In the context of the forthcoming presidential and local elections, the purpose of this workshop is to train professional trainers on legal and technical electoral issues to prepare them for training sessions they are to provide to the electoral commissions throughout the country.
Follow up Seminar on
Interaction of Central and Local Governments and other Stakeholders in Combating Proxy and Family Voting
03/02/2009 - 03/02/2009
Skopje - The United Nations Development Program organises a Seminar on combating proxy and family voting, which is a follow up to the Seminar on "Electoral Standards and International Commitments pertaining to Ballot Secrecy", which took place on 3 December, 2007. Ms Tanja Karakamisheva, Professor in Law and Substitute Member of the Venice Commission, intervenes on the issue of family voting.
"the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" - Electoral Seminar with the State Election Commission
16/12/2008 - 17/12/2008
Skopje - The Venice Commission holds a seminar, in co-operation with the State Election Commission, in order to discuss various electoral topics in the context of the forthcoming presidential and local elections. The main question leading the debates is: how to prepare the elections so that they are credible and fair?
Meetings with the Minister of Employment and Social Policy, with the Minister of Justice and other authorities on the draft law prohibiting discrimination
24/11/2008 - 26/11/2008
Venice Commission and ODIHR representatives will hold a series of meetings with the authorities of "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" with a view to preparing a joint assessment of the draft law on prohibition of discrimination.
Request for opinion - "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" - Election Code
21/11/2008
In the framework of the co-operation between "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" and the Venice Commission, the Commission and the ODIHR of the OSCE will carry out an assessment of the country's Election Code.
"The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" - Legal Advice to the Parliamentary Assembly
30/05/2008 - 02/06/2008
Skopje - At the invitation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), an expert of Venice Commission took part to the Observation Mission of the Parliamentary Assembly as legal advisor during the 1st of June Parliamentary elections. His mandate was to advise the PACE delegation on the legal aspects of the elections.
UniDem Seminar "Cancellation of the results of elections" (Skopje)
25/04/2008 - 26/04/2008