Safeguarding the fundamental values
of the European Union
A hearing organized by the European Affairs Committee
on Thursday 12 March 2015 at 9:00-11:30
at Christiansborg, room 1-133
“The Union is founded on the values of respect for human
dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and
respect for human rights, including the rights of persons
belonging to minorities. These values are common to the
Member States in a society in which pluralism, non-
discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality
between women and men prevail.”
All EU member states must adhere to the above values as
described in the Lisbon Treaty. Before joining the EU,
states must comply with the political Copenhagen
criterium: Stability of institutions guaranteeing
democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for
and protection of minorities.
But what does the EU do when member states do no
longer adhere to the values of the Lisbon Treaty and the
political Copenhagen criterium?
Political developments in certain EU member states
indicate that the fundamental values of the EU –
democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for
and protection of minorities – are under pressure.
Against this backdrop, the European Affairs Committee of
the Danish Parliament wants to discuss:
Are the fundamental values of the EU under pressure?
What should the EU do to safeguard its values?
Does the EU need a “Copenhagen Commission”?
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