EU Constitutional Judges Gather in Sofia for Conference

04.09.2025 | Bulgaria

Sofia is hosting an international conference that brings together constitutional judges from 21 EU countries to discuss the role of constitutional justice.

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Constitutional Court Judges from 21 EU Countries Gather in Sofia for a Conference Under the Auspices of the Bulgarian Constitutional Court

Sofia is hosting a significant international event in the field of law. Today marks the start of the conference "EUnited in diversity III", organized jointly by the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). The forum will bring together representatives of high jurisdictions from 21 EU member states, transforming the Bulgarian capital into a center for in-depth legal debate.

The conference, which takes place every two years, is in its third edition. The main theme of this year's event is "The role of constitutional justice in the common legal order of the EU". The expert discussions are divided into four main panels, focusing on key aspects of the interaction between national and European law.

The first panel is dedicated to the topic "Distribution of competences between the member states and the EU". The second panel examines complex issues related to "EU identity and EU constitutionalism in times of crisis: the constitutional courts and the Court of Justice of the EU". The third panel will analyze "Different national constitutional law constellations relevant to EU law", while the fourth will focus on the practical aspects of "Application and interpretation of EU law: the constitutional courts and the Court of Justice of the EU".

Bulgaria, as the host, will be represented with an impressive presence at this forum. The delegation of the Constitutional Court includes eight of its judges, including President Pavlina Panova. Among the high-ranking Bulgarian lawyers who will take part are judges Atanas Semov, Yanaki Stoilov, Sonya Yankulova, Borislav Belazelkov, Galina Toneva, Sasho Penov, and Nevin Feti. The event will also be attended by the institution's chief secretary, Valentin Georgiev.

The meeting in Sofia provides a platform for the exchange of experience and in-depth dialogue among the continent's highest judges, addressing issues of fundamental importance for the future development of the European legal order and the interaction between it and national constitutions. The presence of representatives from such a wide range of countries underscores the relevance and significance of the topics in the context of the dynamic processes within the European Union.