PROGRAMME

11:00 – Keynote speeches
Isabel Mota, President of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission

Debate
Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade, member of the French Parliament, for the 4th district of French nationals abroad, Vice-president of the European affairs commission of the French National Assembly
Miguel Poiares Maduro, professor, Director of the Global Governance Programme of the European University Institute and former Minister for Regional Development of the Portuguese Republic
Laurent Cohen-Tanugi, essayist, vice-president of the Jacques Delors Institute
Francisco Seixas da Costa, former ambassador of the Portuguese Republic to France, and former Secretary of State in charge of European affairs of the Portuguese Republic

Moderator
António Vitorino, former European commissioner for Justice and Internal affairs, former Minister of the Presidency and former Minister for Defence of the Portuguese Republic

Concluding words
Enrico Letta, president of the Jacques Delors Institute, dean of the Sciences Po Paris School of International Affairs

Closing address
Augusto Santos Silva, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic

About the conference
For the first time in History, the European Commission has activated Article 7 of the Lisbon treaty against Poland. This article foresees in particular substantial sanctions that can go as far as preventing the incriminated State to vote. Triggering this procedure is unprecedented and underlines the alarming political climate certain democracies are facing these days. Indeed, beyond the questioning of judiciary reforms in Poland, Viktor Orban’s Hungary, or, more recently, the harming of the rule of law during the Catalan crisis, are also in the spotlight. Confronted to these risks, and more generally to the rise of nationalist movements, the European Union is equipped with mechanisms aiming at guaranteeing the integrity of democratic values and the rule of law on which it is founded. Article 7 is certainly one of them, but its complex procedure, requiring the Member States unanimity, is likely to reduce the European institutions reaction to a verbal threat, and would highlight their powerlessness. Therefore, how can the EU remain a guardian of democratic values, react efficiently when they are threaten, and promote them? Are the European tools adequate, shall we rethink their implementation or consider alternative measures?

We inform that in the context of its scientific, cultural and artistic activity, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation may make image, voice and sound recordings of the artists and, possibly members of audience. These recordings may be made available to the public by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation through its live streaming, website and social media presence. Should you have any query on this matter, do not hesitate to contact the Foundation.