SOME THOUGHTS ON THE INTERRELATION OF ARTICLE 7 TEU WITH THE EU FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AGENCY

Much have been written, critically evaluating the sanction mechanism included in article 7 TEU regarding the sanctions to member states for serious and persistent breach of the values of the Union. Although the institutional framework is adequate and its use necessary, the lack of political will has led to inactivity of the provision. On the other hand, the fundamental rights agency was established for monitoring human rights throughout the Union, in order to ensure full respect for fundamental rights across the EU. The aim of this paper is to present an interrelation between the sanction mechanism of article 7 TEU with the monitoring mechanism of the agency, which will enhance the quality of fundamental rights protection in EU and the member states. The paper is based on interim conclusions from the PhD thesis at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, entitled “the Treaty of Lisbon and the fundamental rights protection in EU”.