The Czech Republic joined the European Union in 2004 and its economy has experienced rapid transformation. Do all Czechs feel equally benefiting from this economic growth? What is the position of the Czech Republic foreign policy on the future of the European Union and the country’s membership? What alternative pathways for European integration does the country prefer and why? What legal reforms do Czechs expect in this regard?

Mr. Smolek will try to answer all these questions and shed lights on the Czech Republic recent constitutional reform, offering an opportunity to discuss how the 2012 introduction of direct presidential election has influenced the Czech political system and its position within the EU. Having been representing the Czech Republic before the EU Court of Justice, Mr. Smolek will also share his insights on the dialog between European and national judges and compare it with the US federal system.   

Dr. Martin Smolek, Ph.D., LL.M. was appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic in June 2015, in charge of Legal and Consular Affairs. He first joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2002 where he worked in the Office of the Representative of the Czech Republic to the Court of Justice of the European Communities and the EU Court of First Instance in Luxembourg. Since 2008 till now he has served as the Representative of the Czech Republic to these Courts. 

Prior to joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Smolek worked at the Approximation of Law Department of the Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic in 2001-2002. 

Dr. Smolek received his Ph.D from Charles University Faculty of Law in Prague in 2004 and his LL.M from Humboldt University in Berlin in 2001. He's published extensively on EU law and environmental law and contributed to the Environmental Law textbook. 

Lunch will be provided. The event is free and open to the public, but seating may be limited.