Honorary Presidency

HM King Felipe VI has accepted the request to preside over the Honor Committee of the “European Union Law Summit for Legal Professionals”.

Message from the President

Dear Colleagues,

On the 73^rd anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, it is essential to remember his words along with those of Jean Monnet to guide the European project for the coming years: “Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity”.

At the Madrid Bar Association, we believe that these words could not be more topical.

Europe will only pursue its development and face up the challenges such as digitalization or climate change, among many others, by joining forces and carrying out concrete actions from all sectors of society.

Spain, which is holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the fifth time in its history, has a historic opportunity to lead Europe at a crucial time. And for this reason, the Madrid Bar Association, the largest Bar Association in Europe, wants to be at its side to address the many challenges that we, as Europeans, face and to guarantee our understanding of the Rule of law.

As President, I am particularly thrilled to welcome all of you to this first EU Law Summit. A major event that will address all the key challenges that affect us European citizens from the perspective of EU law.

I invite all of you to attend this Summit in the unique setting of the Royal Collections Gallery in Madrid.

With warm regards,

Eugenio Ribón, President of the Madrid Bar Association

Welcome remarks

On behalf of the Governing Board of the Madrid Bar Association, I invite you to attend the first EU Law Summit, open to all legal professionals. A highly significant Summit due to our deep pro-European identity.

In a year in which Spain has assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, and in which both the 75^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 70^th anniversary of the Legal Service of the European Commission are being celebrated, at the Madrid Bar Association we feel the responsibility to bring the European law and the European institutions closer to all legal practitioners by fostering this participative event, open to all sectors and organizations related to law.

The European Union was born out of the deep desire for peace experienced by European citizens after the Second World War. Today, it is an economic and political association unlike any other in the world, made up of 27 countries, which share common principles and values: freedom, democracy, equality, the Rule of law, and the promotion of peace and stability.

The Rule of law is one of the cornerstones of the EU, the backbone on which we build our present and future.

For the Madrid Bar Association, the celebration of this Summit is particularly meaningful as it is the first of its kind for our institution. For this reason, we will count on the participation of the most prestigious personalities and jurists in the European field, ambassadors, senior representatives of Spanish and European authorities, international organizations of the legal profession and presidents of European bar associations, leading national and international law firms, managers and lawyers of multinational corporations that are leaders in their sectors, among others.

EU law has a direct and daily impact on all of us. Knowing and guaranteeing the proper application of the law to ensure that citizens and businesses can enjoy the same rights throughout the EU is a priority for all of us. Especially for professionals.

EU law is the main engine of the EU and therefore our main weapon to ensure prosperity in Europe. EU law belongs to all and for all.

We look forward to seeing you.

Teresa Mínguez, Deputy Member of the Madrid Bar Association’s Governing Board, responsible for International Relations