Representatives of Constitutional Courts from the Eastern Partnership countries discussed “The role of Constitutional Courts in strengthening the independence of the Judicial power” at the 20th Yerevan International Conference on 8-10 October, 2015.

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, the Venice Commission and the Conference of the Constitutional Control Organs of the Countries of New Democracy co-organised the conference which looked at the role of Constitutional Courts in strengthening the independence of the judicial power: doctrinal approaches and contemporary challenges.

Presidents, Vice-Presidents and/or judges of the Constitutional courts/councils of Armenia, Albania, Algeria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Thailand and “The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” gave an overview of the case-law of their Court in fields that impact on the independence of the Judiciary : budget of the judiciary, remuneration of judges, inviolability of judges, irremovability. the challenges ahead such ass cases about the freedom of expression of judges, extent of immunities, right to choose the place to serve, were also set out.

The discussions were very much appreciated by the participants and the issue of “dialogue between judges” was retained as a possible theme for a future conference.