28/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - On 6 March 2008, the Czech Republic joined the Academy of European Law (ERA). The prospect of greater cooperation with the ERA is particularly attractive in that the Czech Republic will be chairing the EU in the first half of 2009, explained Czech justice minister Jiri Pospisil, at the signing ceremony at the ERA headquarters in Trier, Germany, also attended by former President of the European Commission and President of the ERA's Founding Council, Jacques Santer, and ERA Director Wolfgang Heusel. The Czech Republic is the 21st EU member states to join the ERA. (B.C.)