(ANSA) - BRUXELLES - The reforms on the rule of law are "a key priority and the first and last step on the road to membership", EU Commissioner for Justice, Vera Jourova, said after Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice in Sofia, Bulgaria. "I welcome the progress that has been made but there's clearly more to be done", Jourova underlined. Brussels needs "a track record of reforms that actually have been adpoted and implemented on the ground" and "tangible results".

It was a "useful debate" to discuss "the tools and indicators" to "foster the accountability of judiciary" and "strengthen" EU and Western Balkans' judicial cooperation, Jourova explained. The joint effort on justice is of the utmost importance for Brussels to face the refugees crisis and "step up the fight against terrorism", as well, the Commissioner pointed out.

Jourova also encouraged the six Ministers of Justice to "strengthen cooperation with Eurojust, concluding cooperation agreements and bringing data protection laws in line with EU standards". (ANSA).