Brussels | On his first visit to Europe since being elected president of Chile, José Antonio Kast will first arrive in Brussels to participate in the VII Transatlantic Summit at the European Parliament on February 3. The event will bring together political representatives, civic leaders, and experts from the Americas, Africa, and Europe for a high-level dialogue on the challenges facing freedom of expression today.
Kast will deliver the final and main speech, accompanied by Mateusz Morawiecki, president of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party (ECR), Santiago Abascal, president of Patriots for Europe – PfE), Kinga Gal, Vice President of PfE, and Stephen Bartulica, Member of the European Parliament and President of the Political Network for Values (PNfV).
The summit will welcome delegates from more than 35 countries and members of three major European parliamentary groups: ECR, PfE, and European People’s Party (EPP).
“It is an honor and a great joy to welcome him. We hope that the Summit will contribute to a political culture that guarantees a future in which dialogue and open debate are respected, and José Antonio clearly personifies that political culture: firmness in principles, an inclusive spirit, and openness to listening and working with everyone,” said MEP Stephen Bartulica, host of the event.
Furthermore, “José Antonio’s presence at the Summit reflects his unquestionable and constant commitment to the values that are the foundation of Western Civilization. He is a constant promoter of respect for human dignity, the strengthening of the family, the protection of life, and the safeguarding of fundamental freedoms,” he emphasized.
Kast was president of PNfV from 2022 to 2024, during which time he grew the network and expanded its impact by encouraging synergies; his affable manner and clear vision earned him the appreciation and respect of political leaders from various countries.
For Bartulica, Kast’s overwhelming victory in Chile, as well as the political model he built in his country, are relevant for conservatives and for all those who understand politics as a service. He asserts: “From various countries on three continents, we are watching with great interest the transformation he is promoting, which already transcends the borders of his country.”
A summit for freedom
Entitled “Free Speech vs. Regulated Speech – Strengthening the Pillars of Democracy,” the summit is co-organized by PNfV and the ECR parliamentary group, with the collaboration of PfE.
Bartulica warns that “in several countries—and even entire regions such as Europe—there is a worrying trend toward restricting freedom of expression and imposing a uniform discourse. The murder of Charlie Kirk, for example, highlighted the serious challenges faced by those who openly defend human dignity and fundamental freedoms.”
“Freedom of expression is not a privilege that is granted, but a right—prior to the State—that must be recognized and protected; it is one of the foundations of any truly democratic society. Without the free speech, debate, and dissent, all other rights are weakened and democracy loses its foundation.”
The Croatian MP recalls that the right to express one’s convictions peacefully and respectfully is the heritage of all, as explicitly recognized and enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“We are convinced that the trend threatening freedom of expression is not irreversible if we respond jointly; that is why we have convened this summit,” he concludes.
High-level dialogue
In addition to José Antonio Kast, the speakers at the conference include Mateusz Morawiecki, president of the ECR party, Santiago Abascal, president of the PfE party, and members of the European Parliament: Patryk Jaki, co-chair of the ECR Group; Kinga Gal, vice-chair of the PfE Group; Branko Grims, European People’s Party (EPP), Slovenia; Laurence Trochu, ECR, France; Enikö Györi, PfE, Hungary; Tom Vandendriessche, PfE, Belgium; Margarita de la Pisa, PfE, Spain; Carlo Fidanza and Paolo Inselvini, ECR, Italy; and Stephen Bartulica, ECR, Croatia.
Raúl Latorre, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay; Luz Pacheco, President of the Constitutional Court of Peru; Victor Verdún, Vice-Chancellor of Paraguay; Clara Muzzio, Deputy Head of Government of the City of Buenos Aires, Argentina; Fabiola Morales, Deputy Mayor of Lima, Peru; Ernesto Araujo, former Chancellor of Brazil.
Members of national parliaments: Nikolas Ferreira, Brazil; Santiago Santurio and Nicolás Mayoraz, Argentina; Lucy Akello, Uganda; Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, Nigeria; Ronald Portillo, Guatemala; and Andrés Castillo, Ecuador.
In addition, Ádám Kavecsánszki, president of the Foundation for a Civic Hungary; Fernando Sánchez, rector of the Catholic University of Costa Rica; journalists Alvino-Mario Fantini, editor-in-chief of The European Conservative, and Bart-Jan Spruyt, opinion editor of CNE News; and political commentator Eva Vlaardingerbroek.
Members of the PNfV Council of Experts will also participate: Jay Richards and Grace Melton, who are also researchers at The Heritage Foundation; and Polonia Castellanos, who is also president of the Association of Christian Lawyers. Members of the PNfV Board of Directors will also participate: Neydy Casillas, who is also vice president of the Global Center for Fundamental Rights; Sharon Slater, who is also president of Family Watch International; and Rodrigo Iván Cortés, vice president of the Board.
There will also be analysis from specialists Adina Portaru, senior advisor for Europe at ADF International; Gregor Puppinck, general director of the European Center for Law and Justice; and Catholic priest Benedict Kiely. All of the aforementioned associations work to promote respect for human dignity and fundamental values in various areas.
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You can view the program for the VII Transatlantic Summit here.
Further information:
Contact here Diego Hernández, Director of Communications at PNfV.
Email: [email protected]
Phone and WhatsApp: +55 31 9 9456 1430
