5. Portugal is committed to reinforcing the European identity and to strengthening the European states’ actions in favour of democracy, peace, economic progress and justice in the relations between peoples. 6. Subject to reciprocity and with respect for the fundamental principles of a democratic state based on the rule of law and for the principle of subsidiarity, and with a view to the achievement of the economic, social and territorial cohesion of an area of freedom, security and justice and the definition and implementation of a common external, security and defence policy, Portugal may agree to the joint exercise, in cooperation or by the Union’s institutions, of the powers needed to construct and deepen the European Union. 7. With a view to achieving an international justice that promotes respect for the rights of the human person and of peoples, and subject to the provisions governing complementarity and the other terms laid down in the Rome Statute, Portugal may accept the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. Article 8 (International law) 1. The norms and principles of general or common international law form an integral part of Portuguese law. 2. The norms contained in duly ratified or approved international conventions come into force in Portuguese internal law once they have been officially published, and remain so for as long as they are internationally binding on the Portuguese state. 3. The norms issued by the competent organs of international organisations to which Portugal belongs come directly into force in Portuguese internal law, on condition that this is laid down in the respective constituent treaties. 4. The provisions of the treaties that govern the European Union and the norms issued by its institutions in the exercise of their respective competences are applicable in Portuguese internal law in accordance with Union law and with respect for the fundamental principles of a democratic state based on the rule of law. Article 9 (Fundamental tasks of the state) The fundamental tasks of the state are: a) To guarantee national independence and create the political, economic, social and cultural conditions that promote it; b) To guarantee the fundamental rights and freedoms and respect for the principles of a democratic state based on the rule of law; c) To defend political democracy and safeguard and encourage citizens’ democratic participation in the resolution of national problems; d) To promote the people’s well-being and quality of life and real equality between the Portuguese, as well as the effective implementation of economic, social, cultural and environmental rights by means of the transformation and modernisation of economic and social structures; e) To protect and enhance the Portuguese people’s cultural heritage, defend nature and the environment, preserve natural resources and ensure correct town and country planning; f) To ensure that the Portuguese language is taught and constantly valued, defend its use and promote its international dissemination;