As part of the joint visit with the President of the Supreme Court, Afrim Fidani, and the President of the Judicial Council, Aleksandar Kambovski, the President of the Constitutional Court, Darko Kostadinovski LLD, held several working meetings with high-ranking representatives of the judicial institutions of the Hellenic Republic, aimed at strengthening the rule of law and advancing inter-institutional cooperation.
The delegation met with the President of the Court of Audit, Sotiria Touni, and the Deputy Prosecutor General, Antonis Nikitanis, during which the role and mission of this institution, established in 1829, were presented. Particular emphasis was placed on its competences in the field of public finances, preventive oversight of public procurement procedures, and the advisory function of the Court regarding contracts concluded by state authorities. The discussions also covered priorities aimed at improving financial discipline, governance, and audit capacities.
According to the agenda, the delegation also held a meeting at the Ministry of Justice together with Permanent Secretary Vasiliki Giavi, Vice-President of the Supreme Court Panagiotis Livoropoulos, and Deputy Prosecutor Sofoklis Logothetis. During the meeting, views were exchanged on further deepening cooperation in the judiciary, with an emphasis on the exchange of best practices, strengthening institutional capacities, and modernising judicial systems. It was highlighted that the forthcoming Presidency of the Hellenic Republic of the European Union opens opportunities for new joint initiatives, particularly in the field of digitalisation.
In this context, the Macedonian delegation presented the competences of their respective institutions, with particular emphasis on the role of the Constitutional Court as guarantor of constitutionality and legality, and as a key pillar in safeguarding the rule of law and legal certainty.
The delegation also held a separate working meeting with Michalis Pikrammenos, President of the Council of State of the Hellenic Republic – an institution with related competences in the field of constitutional review. During the meeting, experiences were exchanged regarding the assessment of the constitutionality of acts adopted by state authorities, as well as the organisation and functioning of the two systems. Similarities and differences between the models of constitutional review were discussed, while it was emphasised that public trust in the judiciary represents a key prerequisite for the stability of democratic processes.
“Creating a perception of a lack of trust in the judiciary directly affects democracy,” the interlocutors agreed.
At the meeting, readiness was expressed to intensify cooperation, and President Kostadinovski extended an invitation for a return visit to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of North Macedonia, as well as an invitation to participate in the Balkan Forum of Constitutional Courts, as a platform for regional exchange of experiences and the strengthening of constitutional jurisprudence.
