As part of the Jornal Económico's 9th anniversary conference, held on 23 September at AESE Business School, Carlos Botelho Moniz, honorary partner at Morais Leitão, shared his insights on the role of regulation in strengthening the European project, in a flash interview conducted following his participation in the panel “Crossfire. The wonderful world of rules and regulations.”
EU Regulation as a Strategic Advantage
When asked whether EU regulation represents an advantage or a disadvantage compared to other, less regulated economic blocs, Carlos Botelho Moniz stressed that “the existence of clear, stable and predictable regulation” can, somewhat paradoxically, serve as both “an incentive and a competitive advantage” for European businesses. This predictability, he noted, allows companies to plan their international activities on the basis of procedural robustness ensured by the EU’s regulatory framework.
The Single Market: Fluidity and Harmonisation as Pillars
On the advantages of a regulated single market, the honorary partner highlighted the fluidity and coherence of the European internal market as key factors. “The fundamental barrier to the integration of European economies has been the disparity of national regulations. Progress towards harmonisation or, in justified cases, the replacement of national rules with EU regulation enables companies to fully leverage the potential of the single market,” he stated.
The Role of Law Firms in Regulatory Adaptation
On how a law firm like Morais Leitão can support companies in adapting to EU regulations, Carlos Botelho Moniz emphasised the importance of compliance programmes. These play a preventive role, helping companies to structure internal procedures and ensure their operations align with the regulatory framework. “Without prejudice to legal support in contentious situations, the preventive approach is essential. Compliance programmes ensure that conduct remains aligned with the applicable regulation,” he concluded.
The participation of Carlos Botelho Moniz in this conference, alongside Morais Leitão’s role as institutional partner of the event, reinforces the firm’s commitment to strategic reflection on the future of Europe and the role of law in its consolidation.
Watch the flash interview via the link below.
