Brussels | On his first visit to Europe since being elected president of Chile, Jos\u00e9 Antonio Kast<\/b> will first arrive in Brussels to participate in the VII Transatlantic Summit <\/b>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.<\/p>\n
Kast will deliver the final and main speech, accompanied by Mateusz Morawiecki<\/b>, president of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party<\/b> (ECR), Santiago Abascal<\/b>, president of Patriots for Europe – PfE), Kinga Gal<\/b>, Vice President of PfE, and Stephen Bartulica<\/b>, Member of the European Parliament and President of the Political Network for Values<\/b> (PNfV).<\/b><\/p>\n
The summit will welcome delegates from more than 35 countries and members of three major European parliamentary groups: ECR, PfE, <\/b>and European People’s Party<\/b> (EPP).<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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 Jos\u00e9 Antonio clearly personifies that political culture: firmness in principles, an inclusive spirit, and openness to listening and working with everyone,\u201d said MEP Stephen Bartulica<\/b>, host of the event.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, \u201cJos\u00e9 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,\u201d he emphasized.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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: \u201cFrom various countries on three continents, we are watching with great interest the transformation he is promoting, which already transcends the borders of his country.\u201d<\/p>\n
A summit for freedom<\/b><\/p>\n
Entitled \u201cFree Speech vs. Regulated Speech \u2013 Strengthening the Pillars of Democracy,\u201d the summit is co-organized by PNfV<\/b> and the ECR<\/b> parliamentary group, with the collaboration of PfE<\/b>.<\/p>\n
Bartulica<\/b> warns that \u201cin several countries\u2014and even entire regions such as Europe\u2014there 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFreedom of expression is not a privilege that is granted, but a right\u2014prior to the State\u2014that 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are convinced that the trend threatening freedom of expression is not irreversible if we respond jointly; that is why we have convened this summit,\u201d he concludes.<\/p>\n
High-level dialogue<\/b><\/p>\n
In addition to Jos\u00e9 Antonio Kast, <\/b>the speakers at the conference include Mateusz Morawiecki<\/b>, president of the ECR party, Santiago Abascal<\/b>, president of the PfE party, and members of the European Parliament: Patryk Jaki<\/b>, co-chair of the ECR Group; Kinga Gal<\/b>, vice-chair of the PfE Group; Branko Grims<\/b>, European People’s Party (EPP), Slovenia; Laurence Trochu<\/b>, ECR, France; Enik\u00f6 Gy\u00f6ri<\/b>, PfE, Hungary; Tom Vandendriessche<\/b>, PfE, Belgium; Margarita de la Pisa<\/b>, PfE, Spain; Carlo Fidanza<\/b> and Paolo Inselvini<\/b>, ECR, Italy; and Stephen Bartulica<\/b>, ECR, Croatia.<\/p>\n
Ra\u00fal Latorre<\/b>, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay; Luz Pacheco<\/b>, President of the Constitutional Court of Peru; Victor Verd\u00fan<\/b>, Vice-Chancellor of Paraguay; Clara Muzzio<\/b>, Deputy Head of Government of the City of Buenos Aires, Argentina; Fabiola Morales<\/b>, Deputy Mayor of Lima, Peru; Ernesto Araujo<\/b>, former Chancellor of Brazil.<\/p>\n
Members of national parliaments: Nikolas Ferreira<\/b>, Brazil; Santiago Santurio<\/b> and Nicol\u00e1s Mayoraz<\/b>, Argentina; Lucy Akello<\/b>, Uganda; Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi<\/b>, Nigeria; Ronald Portillo<\/b>, Guatemala; and Andr\u00e9s Castillo<\/b>, Ecuador.<\/p>\n
In addition, \u00c1d\u00e1m Kavecs\u00e1nszki<\/b>, president of the Foundation for a Civic Hungary<\/b>; Fernando S\u00e1nchez<\/b>, rector of the Catholic University of Costa Rica; journalists Alvino-Mario Fantini<\/b>, editor-in-chief of The European Conservative<\/b>, and Bart-Jan Spruyt<\/b>, opinion editor of CNE News<\/b>; and political commentator Eva Vlaardingerbroek<\/b>.<\/p>\n
Members of the PNfV Council of Experts<\/b> will also participate: Jay Richards<\/b> and Grace Melton<\/b>, who are also researchers at The Heritage Foundation<\/b>; and Polonia Castellanos<\/b>, who is also president of the Association of Christian Lawyers<\/b>. Members of the PNfV Board of Directors<\/b> will also participate: Neydy Casillas<\/b>, who is also vice president of the Global Center for Fundamental Rights<\/b>; Sharon Slater<\/b>, who is also president of Family Watch International<\/b>; and\u00a0 <\/span>Rodrigo Iv\u00e1n Cort\u00e9s<\/b>, vice president of the Board.<\/p>\n There will also be analysis from specialists Adina Portaru<\/b>, senior counsel for Europe at ADF International<\/b>; Gregor Puppinck<\/b>, general director of the European Center for Law and Justice<\/b>; and Catholic priest Benedict Kiely<\/b>. All of the aforementioned associations work to promote respect for human dignity and fundamental values in various areas.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n You can view the program for the VII Transatlantic Summit here<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n Further information:<\/b><\/p>\n Contact here<\/a><\/span> Diego Hern\u00e1ndez<\/b>, Director of Communications at PNfV.<\/p>\n