INJ has signed a cooperation agreement with ENM (National School of Magistracy of France), one of the most prestigious magistracy schools in Europe

The National Institute of Justice (INJ) from the Republic of Moldova and the National School of Magistrates from France (École nationale de la magistrature, ENM) from France signed, in Chisinau, a Memorandum of Cooperation, in the presence of the French Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, Dominique WAAG, and the Minister of Justice, Vladislav Cojuhari.

This agreement is of strategic importance for justice and marks an important step towards adopting European standards in the training of judges and prosecutors in the Republic of Moldova.

The event brought together the leadership of the INJ, members of the Council, representatives of the Superior Council of Magistrates and the Superior Council of Prosecutors, as well as trainers, audience members, judges and prosecutors in training. Haffide BOULAKRAS, deputy director, Emmanuelle LAUDIC-BARON, director of the Department of International Relations and Claire HARISMENDY, magistrate in the same department, participated on behalf of ENM.

The agreement establishes a broad framework for collaboration between the two institutions, which will include exchanges of experience, the development of joint training programs for judges and prosecutors, participation in courses, conferences and internships, as well as cooperation in the development of training contents and methodologies. The partnership aims at both the initial training and the continuous training of magistrates.

The Director of INJ, Ramona Strugariu, emphasized that: "The partnership contributes to the training of magistrates who do not just apply the law, but who deeply understand the meaning of justice - in the spirit of ethics and responsibility. Sustainable changes are achieved with partners who share the same values, and the National School of Magistracy in France is a landmark in the field."

The Minister of Justice, Vladislav Cojuhari, highlighted that the approach will support the integration of digital tools and the training of magistrates for the effective application of European legislation.

"I am convinced that the expertise of the French colleagues, together with the vision of our specialists, will transform the partnership into a concentration of ideas for the development of the legal professions, with an emphasis on research, analysis, legal argumentation, procedural documents and reasoned court decisions. The reform of justice is not only achieved through the adoption of laws, but through the integrity and professionalism of each judge, prosecutor and lawyer".

The French ambassador in Chisinau, Dominique Waag, stated that: "This cooperation between INJ and ENM is of particular importance, in the context of the reforms undertaken by the Republic of Moldova with a view to joining the European Union. Justice reform is one of the strategic pillars of this process and reflects Moldova's will to be a state of law, to adhere to our common values. This is not an external requirement, but a deep necessity that was expressed by Moldovan society."

For his part, the deputy director of ENM, Haffide Boulakras, emphasized that: "France is ready to share its experience, but at the same time we want to learn from the developments and good practices of the Republic of Moldova. It is a mutual collaboration."

The event continued with the conference "Challenges of legal professions in the era of artificial intelligence", during which Haffide BOULAKRAS gave the presentation "Artificial intelligence and its integration in the activity of justice", and Emmanuelle LAUDIC-BARON spoke about "Artificial intelligence and judicial training".

École nationale de la magistrature (ENM) is the institution responsible for training judges and prosecutors in France and one of the most prestigious magistracy schools in Europe, under the tutelage of the Ministry of Justice and with an important role in international cooperation and the promotion of European standards in judicial education.

The National Institute of Justice is the institution responsible for the initial and ongoing training of professionals from the justice system in the Republic of Moldova, having an essential role in training the new generation of magistrates, within the framework of justice reform and the country's European journey.

The signing of this agreement represents an important step to strengthen the institutional capacity of the judicial system and to bring it closer to European standards, at a time when justice reform remains fundamental to strengthening the rule of law.