1. Before addressing the theme that I was assigned, allow me a few introductory remarks on the meaning of the event in which we are participating. I naturally wish first to express my pleasure at being back in Macao and to thank the organisers of this international conference for their invitation, which has given me the opportunity to get in touch once more with a reality that means a lot to me as a Portuguese and as a professor of Law. It also gives me great pleasure to be able to share this occasion of scientific discussion with my fellow colleagues in panel 5, who are all distinguished academics and have come here from various renowned universities.