The Portugal has taken over the Rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union from Germany on Friday, January 1, 2020.
Taking over the charge, Portugal praised the leadership of German Chancellor – Angela Merkel, under whose leadership, E.U. was able to roll-out the campaign for vaccination against the Coronavirus (COVID-19), throughout the 27 members bloc.
It also appreciated Germany’s efforts in securing the post-Brexit trade deal with the United Kingdom (U.K.). Another major highlight of German presidency was overcoming of Poland and Hungary’s veto to the E.U.’s budget of €750 billion budget and COVID-19 recovery plan. Portugal also lauded Germany for finalising the major investment deal with China.
The Presidency of the Council rotates among the E.U. member states every 6 months. During this 6-month period, the presidency chairs meetings at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the E.U.’s work in the Council. The presidency is not an individual, but rather the position is held by a national Government. Member states holding the presidency work together closely in groups of three, called ‘trios’. This system was introduced by the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. The current trio is made up of the presidencies of the Germany, Portugal and Slovenia.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister of Portugal – Antonio Costa said, “It is time to take action, to put on the ground the instruments with which we have acquired: the vaccination plan on a European scale and the national recovery plans.”
The Portugal Presidency which began on January 1, 2021 will continue till June 30, 2021. The Portugal will promote a vision that E.U. is innovative, future-oriented and is based on common values of solidarity, convergence and cohesion.
The Portugal’s priorities are driven by its motto of, “Time to deliver: a fair, green and digital recovery.” Their programme focuses on 5 main areas, which are in line with the goals of the E.U.’s strategic agenda. These include
- Strengthening Europe’s resilience
- Promoting confidence in the European social model
- Promoting a sustainable recovery
- Speeding-up a fair and inclusive digital transition
- Reaffirm the E.U.’s role in the world, ensuring that this is based on openness and multilateralism
In conjunction with the European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, Portugal will continue to coordinate the health measures of the E.U. members, which have so far displayed a disjointed chain reaction to each wave of the pandemic.
Portugal will also seek to ensure that E.U.’s €750 billion COVID-19 recovery fund turns into productive investment, alongside other programmes included in the bloc’s €1.8 trillion 7-year spending plan.
Separately, in order to guarantee opportunity for all, Portugal wants to organise a ‘Social Summit’ on May 7 and 8, 2021 in Porto, the country’s second-largest city. The ‘Social Summit’ will lead member states to stand committed in developing the social rights of Europeans.
This will be followed by E.U. – India Summit in Porto, which Portugal sees as a step towards strengthening of the strategic autonomy. This would be a testament of E.U.’s ambition to diversify their trade partners.
