25 May 2026 - Today, a conference of judges on judicial dialogue and the role of the highest courts in ensuring the uniform application of law was held, jointly organised by the Supreme Court of the Republic of Croatia and the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia. Within this main topic, judges of the Croatian Supreme Court and Constitutional Court, as well as judges of lower ordinary and specialised courts, discussed with judges and Advocates General of the Court of Justice of the European Union issues concerning the rule of law and judicial independence. In his opening address, the President of the EU Court of Justice, K. Lenaerts, stressed that Member States share not only a common area, but also common values, emphasising the importance of dialogue between courts for the smooth functioning of the judicial area of the European Union, as such dialogue fosters cooperation and builds mutual trust. Welcoming the participants, President Staničić referred, among other things, to the preliminary ruling procedure as one of the most important mechanisms of cooperation and dialogue, and supported the proactive approach of Croatian courts in this regard. He pointed out that the Constitutional Court, although until recently rather restrained, now does not hesitate to submit requests for preliminary rulings to the Court of Justice of the European Union whenever it considers this necessary. At the ceremonial part of the conference, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković also addressed the participants, expressing support for national courts and the EU Court of Justice in the application of the acquis and in strengthening common values and the rule of law through mutual dialogue and respect. He also emphasised that Croatia incorporates the judgments of the EU Court of Justice into its legal order, thereby confirming that it is a responsible Member State committed to the rule of law. In conclusion, he congratulated President Lenaerts and his colleagues on the 2024 reforms aimed at increasing efficiency and transparency in the Court’s work.
