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The conference titled 21 Years in the European Union became a platform for the exchange of knowledge and professional views not only among domestic experts but also among international guests from Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Italy, and Germany. The contributions focused, among other things, on the impacts of EU membership on the Czech legal order, the current case-law of the Court of Justice of the EU, issues of protecting European values, and enforcing law within the Union structures.

The event, organized by the Department of Constitutional and European Law of the Faculty of Law at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (FPR UWB), took place on October 16. It was inaugurated in the faculty premises by the rector of the University, Miroslav Lávička, and the dean of the Faculty of Law, Stanislav Balík. "The Czech Republic has been in the European Union for more than two decades, yet it is still important to maintain an open and professional dialogue about what this membership has brought and where it is heading. The university should be a space for reflecting on these changes," the rector stated. The dean added: "The Faculty of Law has long been developing the teaching of European law, and we consider it natural to offer a space for international expert discussion right here in Pilsen."

The conference was attended by representatives of European institutions and national authorities. Among them was Monika Ladmanová, Head of the European Commission Representation in the Czech Republic, who emphasized the importance of the rule of law within the EU: "The European Union is not just about the economy or subsidies – it is primarily a community of values, among which respect for the rule of law and an independent judiciary plays a fundamental role."

Jiří Vláčil, Government Agent for the representation of the Czech Republic before the Court of Justice of the EU, analyzed the Czech Republic's experience with Union case-law in his presentation: "In 21 years of membership, we have gone through significant development – from passively adopting law to actively participating in its interpretation in the Union context." Filip Široký, an expert investigator of financial crime operating within the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), described the current challenges in the fight against cross-border fraudulent conduct: "The European Public Prosecutor is proof that the EU can actively defend itself against serious economic crimes that cross the borders of member states."

Jan Kravčík, Coordinator of the Strategy to Support Czechs in EU Institutions at the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, stressed the need for greater representation of Czech citizens in European institutions: "It is necessary to motivate law students and graduates to apply for positions within the Union structures. Czech law and European law are closely interconnected today."

The event was held with the support of the Interreg EU program and a number of regional and international partners.