JUSTICE MINISTER RECEIVES REPS OF AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION AND CEELI

ZAGREB, March 2 (Hina) - Justice Minister Vesna Skare Ozbolt on Tuesday held talks with the executive director of the American Bar Association's Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative (ABA/CEELI), Elisabeth Anderson, the director of the Central Europe programme, Robert Leventhal, and the director of the Croatia programme, Eric T. Fry.#L# The Croatian minister said that the reform of the judiciary also envisaged the introduction of court spokespersons and the establishment of a judicial academy, which should start working next year. She went on to say that the national judicial system must adjust itself to modern challenges both with regard to expert knowledge and relations with the citizens and the public. The minister said that the existing centre for the training of judges would be transformed into the judicial academy where judges would acquire practical knowledge in specific areas. The ABA/CEELI representatives offered their assistance in the implementation of the initiative, said a press release issued by the ministry. Minister Skare-Ozbolt and the US delegation also considered cooperation in the drawing and implementation of an anti-corruption strategy. ABA/CEELI has so far been engaged in many projects in the reform of Croatia's judiciary, including the elaboration of a code of judicial ethics. (Hina) ms sb