Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union starts today

Under the motto “Time to deliver”, the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) has elected its major priorities around the importance of strengthening Europe’s resilience and the citizens’ confidence in the European social model, promoting a Union based on the common values of solidarity, convergence and cohesion.

These priorities will be developed through five lines of action: promoting recovery, cohesion and the European values; promoting the EU as a leader in climate action; accelerate digital transformation at the service of citizens and businesses; enhance and strengthen the European social model; and promote a Europe open to the world.

These lines of action include objectives such as the start of the implementation of the New Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the implementation of the European Climate Pact, the focus on digital transition, as a driving force for economic recovery, or the promotion of gender equality and policies to combat discrimination, poverty and social exclusion, including the specific protection of the more vulnerable groups.

The achievement of the objectives set for the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the organisation of the various meetings and events scheduled by 30 June involve different areas of government, which have also elected their own political lines of action.

With regard to Justice, the protection of vulnerable adults; e-Justice and citizens’ rights; judicial cooperation, fundamental rights and the Rule of Law; and the fight against terrorism and organised crime and counterfeiting have been defined as priorities.

Presidency held for the fourth time

This is the fourth time that Portugal presides over the Council of the European Union. The Portuguese début in these rotating presidencies took place in 1992, also between January and June, under the motto “Towards the European Union”. The main achievements of that Presidency were the signing of the Treaty on European Union and of the Agreement on the European Economic Area.

In 2020, Portugal’s second presidency sought to define “Europe on the Brink of the 21st Century” and organised the first EU-Africa Summit. This presidency also promoted the Adoption of the Lisbon Strategy and the celebration of the Cotonou Agreement between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.

The most recent rotating presidency in 2007 – also involving Germany and Slovenia – aimed at a “stronger Union for a better world”, and was marked by the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon, which reformed the way in which the EU operated. The Portuguese presidency also organised the first EU-Brazil Summit and the second EU-Africa Summit.

The current Trio of Presidencies began with Germany, from 1 July to 31 December 2020, runs until 30 June with Portugal and ends with Slovenia, from 1 July to the end of the year.