30/09/2026 Session
Sa visite marque le demi-siècle d'adhésion du Portugal au Conseil de l'Europe
“Europe must not be a fortress. It must be a space of freedom, dialogue and co-operation, open to the world and true to its principles. At a time of geopolitical tensions, disinformation and growing fragmentation, we need more dialogue, not less,” said the President of Portugal António José Martins Seguro today in an address to PACE.
President Martins Seguro identified as key priorities for the whole continent an uncompromising defence of human rights, safeguarding democracy, strengthening social cohesion and building a Europe open to the world. “Respect for human dignity must be Europe’s compass,” he underlined.
The President reiterated Portugal’s strong commitment to work for the abolition of the death penalty – of which Portugal was a pioneer – as well as promoting gender equality, combating discrimination and taking action on climate change.
President Martins Seguro’s visit to the Council of Europe took place just one week after the 50th anniversary of Portugal’s accession – on 22 September 1976, two years after its April Revolution that initiated the country’s transition to democracy.
In his speech to parliamentarians from across Europe, he said: “Accession to the Council of Europe was the expression of a clear choice: Portugal wanted to belong to a Europe of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Accession was not a merely diplomatic act. It was a political and moral statement. It was the choice of a country that wished to build its future on the foundation of freedom, justice and respect for human rights.”
While acknowledging the Council of Europe’s role in building a common area of rights, principles and safeguards, he warned against ongoing challenges such as the rise of extremist movements, mistrust of institutions, discrimination, hate speech and xenophobia, as well as attempts to weaken the protection of rights, disregard for international law and growing geopolitical uncertainty.
Regarding Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the President expressed his country’s support for Ukraine and for the Council of Europe’s work to ensure accountability, including the Register of Damage, the International Claims Commission and the Convention on the Establishment of the Special Court for the Crime of Aggression. Supporting Ukraine is a “duty of solidarity towards its people”, and it means defending Europe’s security and the credibility of its principles, he said.