Moldovan justice minister says justice reform enters new stage in context of EU accession process

Moldova is preparing a new stage of justice reform. Justice Minister Vladislav Cojuhari has said that the new stage of the reform would take place in the context of negotiations for accession to the European Union and would focus on consolidating the results achieved in recent years. He noted that the new Justice Sector Development Programme for 2027–2031 would focus on the quality and efficiency of justice, integrity, human resources and digitalization.

According to Cojuhari, the goal is for the legislative and institutional results of the reforms to translate into concrete and lasting changes in the working of the justice system.

„This year’s edition of the Forum on Reforming Justice and Combating Corruption is taking place at a historic moment for Moldova, marked by the official opening of accession negotiations and the launch of negotiations on Cluster 1 – „Fundamentals”. I highly appreciate the topics on this year’s agenda. All dimensions to be addressed are not merely priorities in sectoral policies, but also the foundations of the rule of law and citizens’ trust in institutions,” Vladislav Cojuhari said.

The minister emphasized that justice reform must move from isolated measures to lasting transformations, as Moldova is engaged in negotiations for EU accession. The chapter on „Justice and Fundamental Rights”, coordinated by the Justice Ministry, is one of the key chapters in the accession negotiations.





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„Justice is a central pillar of society’s transformation and our shared responsibility is to strengthen our commitments, so that the processes initiated are sustainable and irreversible,” the minister said.

According to Cojuhari, the Justice Ministry, along with stakeholders in the sector, is drafting a new policy document for the period 2027–2031, which should ensure the continuity and consistency of the reforms.

„In my opinion, this document should help us move from isolated reforms to lasting transformations, deliver concrete results to society and ensure that the changes are irreversible,” Vladislav Cojuhari said.

The minister noted that, in recent years, measures had been taken to improve access to justice, improve the quality of judicial proceedings, professionalize actors in the sector and streamline administration and digitalize judicial processes.

„Today, we can say with certainty that considerable efforts have been made to improve access to justice and enhance the quality of judicial proceedings, to professionalize actors in the sector and, of course, to optimize the administration and digitalization of judicial processes. Therefore, the next stage will focus on consolidating these efforts,” the minister said.

Cojuhari specified that the new Justice Sector Development Programme for 2027–2031 proposed an integrated approach to reform.

„The new policy document, the Justice Sector Development Programme for 2027–2031, proposes a vision adapted to the new reality in which Moldova finds itself and is based on an integrated approach to quality, efficiency, integrity, human resources and digitalization,” the minister said.

He added that the document’s priorities would be aligned with the European integration agenda and would aim to strengthen people-centered justice, enhance the efficiency of institutions and harness digital technologies.

„These dimensions are interdependent and must be developed within a coherent framework that also reflects the priorities of the justice sector arising from the European integration agenda: improving the quality of justice and strengthening people-centered justice, increasing the efficiency, administrative capacity and performance of institutions in the justice sector and, of course, delivering more effective and accessible justice by harnessing the transformative potential of digitalization in the justice sector,” Vladislav Cojuhari said.

The minister stressed that the new document is to be finalized through consultations with institutions and professionals in the field, civil society, development partners and justice users.

„I would like to use this opportunity to reaffirm the institutional commitment to rely, when finalizing the new policy document, on dialogue with institutions, professionals, civil society, development partners and, last but not least, justice users. This is essential for the Justice Ministry. Only a participatory process can ensure a document that meets the realities of the system and is embraced by those who will implement it,” Cojuhari said.

According to the minister, European integration provides Moldova with a framework for accelerating and consolidating justice reforms.

„We face a complex process, but European integration provides us with a clear framework for accelerating and consolidating reforms. Our responsibility is to make the most of this opportunity to build an independent, upright, efficient and modern justice system capable, above all, of meeting people’s needs,” Vladislav Cojuhari concluded.

Senior state officials, ambassadors, representatives of the judiciary and civil society experts today gathered in Chișinău for the eighth edition of the Forum on Reforming Justice and Combating Corruption, in order to discuss the future of  Moldova’s legal system in the new European context.