PORTUGUESE PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION - # THE ÜBERSICHT - Erstelesung
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# THE ÜBERSICHT PORTUGUESE PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
#THEÜBERSICHT #THEÜBERSICHT
Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union
I. CONTEXT OF THE PORTUGUESE
COUNCIL PRESIDENCY
On January 1st, 2021 Portugal will take At the same time, 2021 carries many rea- With key decisions due to be made on
over the Presidency of the Council of the sons for hope and optimism that the incom- Europe’s green and digital transformation,
European Union for the fourth time since ing Portuguese Presidency can build upon: the path towards stronger European sov-
joining the Union in 1986. This time, how- The first Europeans have already received ereignty, deals and agreements with the
ever, will be unlike all previous ones: the the eagerly-awaited vaccination against United Kingdom, and the lessons learned
Portuguese will inherit a whole list of unre- COVID-19, the German Council Presi- from the pandemic for strengthening Eu-
solved issues from the German EU Coun- dency ultimately succeeded in reaching rope’s resilience, the Portuguese Council
CONTENT
cil Presidency after one of the most chal- an agreement on the historic “NextGen- Presidency has an opportunity to shape
lenging and eventful years in the history erationEU” recovery fund and the new the EU’s policy for 2021 and beyond. ■
of the European Union. The policy agen- multiannual financial framework (MFF),
da in 2020 has been dominated by the and the election of Joe Biden as the 46th
COVID-19 pandemic and its socio-eco- President of the United States raised great
nomic consequences, leaving many long- hopes in European capitals for a revival of
standing problems facing the EU with too the strained transatlantic relationship. This
I. CONTEXT OF THE PORTUGUESE COUNCIL PRESIDENCY....................3
little attention and policy space to be tack- presents ample opportunities for the Portu-
II. FACTS & FIGURES.......................................................................................4 led. Add to this the still unresolved question guese Presidency to conclude the efforts
of the future relationship with the United for Europe’s recovery from the pandemic
III. PRIORITIES FOR THE PRESIDENCY........................................................6 Kingdom, rising geopolitical tensions with and combine it with a forward-looking
Turkey in the Mediterranean and the in- policy agenda that takes Portugal’s own
IV. PROGRAM OF THE PORTUGUESE PRESIDENCY ................................7 creasingly tense global competition be- priorities into account.
tween the two superpowers USA and Chi-
V. WHO IS WHO?...........................................................................................9 na that directly impacts Europe. The result is
a long list of challenges for the Portuguese
VI. FURTHER INFORMATION..................................................................... 12 EU Council Presidency to lead the EU into
the first year after the start of the pandemic.
Version 1 / 08.01.2021
Have you discovered obsolete or incorrect information? Let us know! We are happy to update this overview: mail@erstelesung.de#THEÜBERSICHT #THEÜBERSICHT
Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union
II. FACTS & FIGURES
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
DEMOGRAPHICS ECONOMY POLITICAL SYSTEM Prime Minister
POPULATION1 Antonio Costa
10.1 51.7 € UNITARY
SEMI-PRESIDENTIAL
EXECUTIVE HEAD OF STATE
MILLION BILLION President
ANNUAL GDP4 (2019) representative democratic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
republic10
LIFE EXPECTANCY1 -5.7 % 30,194€
82.7YEARS (AVERAGE) GDP GROWTH4
(3rd quarter 2020)
GDP PER CAPITA5
(2019) The constitution of Portugal designates the Council KEY POLITICAL PARTIES11
of Ministers (President’s cabinet) as the chief
85.3 YEARS TRADE
policy-making body. It consists of the Prime Minister,
ministers of government departments, and some
Social Democratic Party (PSD)
79.8 YEARS secretaries of state. People’s Party (CDS)
74,136 $
95,629 $
Socialists (PS)
MILLION MILLION The parliament consists of a unicameral
Assembly of the Republic with 230 deputies. Unitarian Democratic Coalition (CDU)
EXPORTS6 (2019) IMPORTS (2019)
Its duties include debating and voting upon Communist Party (PCP)
legislation, authorizing the government to raise
BIRTH RATE 1 revenues, and approving the laws passed by the Greens (Os Verdes)
1.3 CHILDREN/ MAIN TRADING PARTNERS : 7 legislatures of the autonomous regions of Portugal.
Left Bloc (BE)
WOMAN Spain, France, Germany, United Kingdom,
United States
CULTURE & SCIENCE
ECONOMIC SECTORS8(2019)
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE Lisbon, Portugal’s 70% of the world’s cork Portugal is known as the Portugal is also known
Portuguese capital has the exports come from country of tiles, as the to have the highest
Services (65.5%) oldest operating Portugal, and Portugal Portuguese love decorating number of sunshine
MINORITY LANGUAGES2 bookstore in the has the world’s largest their houses, restaurants and hours in Europe,
Industry (18.9%)
world, dating back cork tree forest. small streets with beautiful averaging about 300
Mirandese, Barranquenho, Minderico Agriculture (2.1%) to 1732.12 tiled patterns.13 sunny days a year.13
MAIN INDUSTRIAL SECTORS: 1
https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/portugal-population/
2
https://alphaomegatranslations.com/foreign-language/three-languages-you-didnt-know-were-native-to-portugal/
metallurgy, machinery, electrical and electronics
RELIGIONS3 https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/religious-beliefs-in-portugal.html
3
3%
industries, textiles 4
https://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpgid=ine_tema&xpid=INE&tema_cod=1312
5
https://data.oecd.org/portugal.htm
9%
Roman Catholic (81%) 6
https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/PRT/Year/LTST/Summary
7% Protestant (3%) 7
https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/PRT/Year/LTST/Summary
8
https://www.statista.com/statistics/372187/share-of-economic-sectors-in-the-gdp-in-portugal/#:~:text=Share%20of%20economic%20sectors%20in%20the%20GDP%20in%20Portu-
Atheist or Agnostic (7%) UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 9
81% gal%202009%2D2019&text=In%202019%2C%20the%20share%20of,sector%20contributed%20about%2065.52%20percent.
“other” religions (Islam, 9
https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/PRT/portugal/unemployment-rate#:~:text=Portugal%20unemployment%20rate%20for%202019,a%201.38%25%20decline%20from%202015.
Judaism, Eastern Religions
6.33% https://www.britannica.com/place/Portugal/Government-and-society
10
& other beliefs) (9%) (2019) 11
https://www.euronews.com/2019/10/05/portugal-elections-who-are-the-main-parties
12
https://artsandculture.google.com/theme/8-fun-facts-you-never-knew-about-portugal/xwICH2cMcrGWKg?hl=en
13
https://beportugal.com/interesting-facts-about-portugal/#THEÜBERSICHT #THEÜBERSICHT
Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union
III. PRIORITIES IV. PROGRAM OF
FOR THE PRESIDENCY THE PORTUGUESE PRESIDENCY
The Portuguese Council Presidency will aim to strengthen Europe’s resilience and its citizens’ confidence in the European social model by tial supplies and increase the capacity The Portuguese want to use the European
promoting a Union based on the common values of solidarity, convergence and cohesion. Specifically, Portugal’s agenda for the Presidency Portuguese Presidency Motto: of rescEU. For police and judicial coop- industrial strategy to reduce dependence
will focus on five main priorities: Resilient Europe, Social Europe, Green Europe, Digital Europe and Global Europe. eration, the Portuguese will focus heavily on third countries and lay the ground
“Time to deliver: a fair, on preventing and combatting terrorism, for ‘industrial ecosystems’ in Europe. A
green and digital especially on radicalisation and violent high-level meeting in March to address
RESILIENT EUROPE GREEN EUROPE fundamental European values and lay the recovery” extremism of various origins and orien- consumer protection and recovery in the
foundations for “Digital Democracy with a tations both on- and offline. Furthermore, tourism sector will be a high priority. The
The Portuguese Presidency is determined Climate change is also high on the Por- purpose”. A “Digital Day” is scheduled for Portugal will pursue coordination in the European Year of the Rail will be used to
to conclude the implementation of the tuguese agenda. The Council Presidency March in Porto and a “Digital Assembly” fight against organised and cross-border focus on decarbonization and economic
new MFF and the “NextGenerationEU” will prioritize the implementation of the Eu- should be held in Lisbon in June. ■ I. PROTECTING CITIZENS crime, particularly drug trafficking, human recovery of the transport sector. On digital
recovery fund to ensure Europe’s recov- ropean Green Deal for a sustainable eco- AND FREEDOMS trafficking, crimes against women and topics, research and innovation policies
ery from the crisis and to provide the basis nomic recovery and will push to ensure a children, cybercrime, including child sex- will prioritize green hydrogen and -su-
for sustainable growth and job creation. higher ambition for the EU’s 2030 climate GLOBAL EUROPE To protect citizens and freedoms in the ual abuse, electronic evidence and hate percomputing, as well as Artificial Intelli-
Resilience should also be increased by action targets. The energy transition in Eu- EU, the Portuguese Presidency will first crime. Finally, Portugal wants to improve gence (AI). Along these lines, a high-level
defending Europe’s strategic autonomy, rope should be fostered, in part, through The Portuguese Presidency aims to and foremost strengthen the core values the interoperability of European legal and conference on intellectual property and
strengthening the EU’s crisis management the European Investment Bank (EIB) de- strengthen the EU’s commitment to effec- of and the rule of law in the Union, with judicial systems, continuing the efforts of the digital transition is to be held in Feb-
system and upholding its fundamental signing financial instruments to mobilize tive multilateralism and its geopolitical role a high-level conference planned in May. the action plan for European e-Justice. ruary. Furthermore, the Presidency will
values, internally and externally. The Pres- significant public and private investments as a leading player on all relevant interna- Part of this means continuing the fight for A conference on this topic will be held in monitor the issue of cybersecurity across
idency also wants to continue the negoti- into renewables and clean energy. Two tional agendas. Priority will be given to the equal opportunities and combatting rac- April. ■ all policy areas, with a particular focus
ations on the new Pact on Migration and summits are scheduled for February and EU’s future relationship with the UK as well ism, which the Portuguese will address on the new NIS Directive and other mea-
Asylum and involve citizens and civil so- April in Lisbon to discuss climate change as European leadership in consolidating by following up on the EU anti-racism sures of the new EU Security Strategy. In
ciety in the Conference on the Future of and the role of green hydrogen for the en- an open and rules-based international action plan 2020-2025. To give greater II. DEVELOPING addition, the creation of a European Data
Europe, as far as the epidemiological situ- ergy transition. ■ trading system. Portugal is particularly legitimacy to the EU and secure the citi- OUR ECONOMIC BASE: Entry Platform based on submarine ca-
ation allows it. ■ committed to bolstering the relationship zenry’s trust, the Presidency will advocate THE EUROPEAN MODEL bles will contribute to greater European
between the EU and Africa, the Southern for greater levels of active participation digital autonomy. The Presidency will give
FOR THE FUTURE
DIGITAL EUROPE Mediterranean Neighborhood and Latin by European citizens, especially young weight to achieving an integrated, inter-
SOCIAL EUROPE America. The Presidency is also eager to people, and counter disinformation The Presidency’s top priority will be the im- connected, digitized and operational sin-
On digital affairs, the Portuguese Council strengthen European relations with India, through the European Democracy Action plementation of the multiannual financial gle energy market, and will pay particular
Portugal places particular emphasis on Presidency will focus on the digital tran- and give a new political impetus to the Plan. Special priority will also be given to framework and NextGenerationEU instru- attention to the revision of the TEN-E Reg-
Europe’s social model as a key factor for sition as a driver of economic recovery transatlantic relationship by reaching out the New Pact on Migration and Asylum ment, including the approval of national ulation, with the goal of completing the
tackling the socio-economic consequenc- and aims to promote European leader- to the newly elected U.S. administration. ■ with the aim of establishing a common plans. Cohesion policy shall receive at- core TEN-T network by 2030. Lastly, a
es of the pandemic. In particular, the Pres- ship in innovation and the digital econo- migration management system for the tention, and a high-level conference shall competitive space sector should emerge
idency plans to promote the implementa- my. Special attention will be paid to the EU. For the future of Schengen, the Pres- assess the economic situation of Europe. by maximizing the use of space data and
tion of the European Pillar of Social Rights universal development of digital skills and idency wants to put the new mandate of Work on the European deposit guaran- technologies. ■
and aims to hold a Social Summit in Porto, the fostering of new digital solutions and the European Border and Coast Guard tee scheme and the capital markets union
scheduled for May. The Portuguese Presi- strategies for the green transition in the (Frontex) into operation and implement shall help deepen the economic and
dency wants to put the social dimension at health, education, research and innova- mechanisms like the Entry/Exit System monetary union, while work on crypto
the heart of the EU’s priorities in 2021 and tion, and mobility sectors. The Portuguese and the European Travel Information and assets and operational resilience will put
points out the crucial importance of pro- Presidency places particular emphasis on Authorization System. To enable a better the digital transition of the financial sector
moting policies to foster employment and the social dimension of the digital transfor- disaster management and civil protection in focus. Portugal will discuss the Digital
jobs, equal opportunities, social protection mation and aims to put forward a “Char- mechanism, the Portuguese Presidency Services Act, support SMEs, and remove
and health in the recovery from the crisis. ■ ter of Digital Rights” that should preserve will establish strategic reserves of essen- unjustified barriers in the single market.#THEÜBERSICHT #THEÜBERSICHT
Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union
III. BUILDING A GREEN,
CARBON-NEUTRAL
IV. BUILDING A FAIR
AND SOCIAL EUROPE
V. PROMOTING
EUROPE’S INTERESTS V. WHO IS WHO?
EUROPE AND VALUES IN THE
The Portuguese Presidency is convinced
WORLD
The Portuguese Presidency will “strive that “only a stronger, fairer and more in-
to mobilize the Member States behind clusive social Europe will respond to the As a primary foreign policy objective, the
European Council Political Parties:
the European Green Deal, with the aim social consequences of the pandem- Portuguese Presidency seeks to establish a Socialist Party
of promoting an innovative and resilient ic, ensuring intergenerational balance, leadership role in consolidating an open
Chair PT Representative Independent
carbon-neutral development model” to the future of young Europeans and the and rules-based international trading sys-
integrate “climate policy and the goal of well-being of all.” The Presidency has tem. In the context of multilateral organiza-
Socialist Party
carbon neutrality … into the various sec- great ambitions to assure the Europe- tions like the UN, the Portuguese will pri-
toral policies” and to promote “decar- an Pillar of Social Rights has a concrete oritize protection of human rights through Council Configurations:
bonization, energy efficiency, the circular meaning in the lives of European citizens. implementing the Action Plan on Human AGRIFISH: EYCS: Education, Youth,
Agriculture and Fisheries Culture and Sport
economy, sustainable mobility, and the Regarding employment, social policy and Rights and Democracy and the EU Action
COMPET: FAC: Foreign Affairs
conservation and restoration of ecosys- health, Portugal will host the EU Social Plan on Gender Equality and Women’s Competitiveness
tems and biodiversity”. For climate action, Summit. Furthermore, the Presidency will Empowerment. Next, together with the GAC: General Affairs
ECOFIN: Economic
the central objective of the Presidency is to focus on fostering social cohesion, includ- European Investment Bank, the Presidency and Financial Affairs JHA: Justice and Home Affairs
finalize the negotiations on the European ing the fight against poverty, in particular will organize a high-level EU-Africa forum ENVI: Environment TTE: Transport, Telecommuni-
cations and Energy
Climate Law, including the emissions re- child poverty, social exclusion and dis- on the green economy and -investment in CHARLES ANTONIO EPSCO: Employment,
ductions targets for 2030 and goal of car- crimination, as well as on the social econ- April and prioritize the organization of a MICHEL COSTA Social Policy, Health
and Consumer Affairs
bon neutrality by 2050 at the latest. They omy and social innovation, active ageing, sixth EU-African Union Summit. In Asia, the President of the Prime Minister of Portugal
will also work on climate adaptation using inclusion of people with disabilities and Portuguese want to focus on moderniza- European Council
nature-based solutions. Next, the Presi- promoting children’s rights. Moreover, the tion and deepening of EU-India relations
dency will promote the sharing of national development of the European framework by holding an informal meeting with the
plans to further the Circular Economy Ac- for action on health, aiming at creating Indian Prime Minister in May. Moreover,
tion Plan and review the legislative frame- a European Health Union by enhancing Portugal wants to create the conditions
FAC COMPET
work for batteries. Conservation of marine cooperation between Member States for signing the EU-Mercosur Association
biodiversity is of particular importance to and strengthening European agencies, Agreement, and a modernized EU-Mex- Internal Market/
Chair PT Representative Trade Space & Research
the Presidency, and they will prepare for will be an area of paramount importance. ico Global Agreement. Following Brexit, Industry
negotiations on the Global Biodiversity Regarding education, youth, culture, and the Presidency’s goal is to set up a com-
Independent Socialist Party Independent
Framework at the Convention on Biologi- sport, the Portuguese Presidency will ad- prehensive, fair, and balanced partner-
cal Diversity. Regarding the Forestry Strat- vocate for the importance of inclusive ac- ship with the UK. Relations with the United
egy, the Presidency considers this a solid cess to education and training, and cre- States are to be revitalized, and the rela-
framework for an integrated approach to ate conditions for equal opportunities. To tionship should be geared more towards
the sector. Portugal will define a program this end, the establishment of the European tangible responses to global challenges.
to protect forests and establish a financial education area (EEA) by 2025 and ini- This will be done through increasing co-
framework for them. Moving onto water tiatives under the New Skills Agenda for operation in security and defense matters
policy, Portugal will work to increase in- Europe and the Digital Education Action and defining common goals in relation to
vestment in treatment and reuse solutions plan will be central objectives. Moreover, the climate agenda. In terms of humanitar- JOSEPH JOÃO GOMES JOÃO PEDRO SIZA MANUEL
as well as implementation of the Water the Presidency intends to pay particular ian aid, the Portuguese will strengthen EU BORELL FONTELLES CRAVINHO TORRES VIEIRA HEITOR
Framework Directive in a cross-sectoral attention to the implementation of the EU support for young refugees and forcibly High Representative for Minister of Secretary of State for Trade, Minister of State Minister for Science,
manner. Finally, the Aarhus Convention recovery plan in the cultural and creative displaced persons in higher education. Foreign Affairs and National Defense Services and Consumer for the Economy, Technology, and
Security Policy Protection and Digital Transition Higher Education
on Access to Information and Public Par- sector by launching the Creative Europe Finally, the Presidency will pay particular
ticipation in Decision-Making and Access program in June. Finally, the Presidency attention to hybrid threats, cyber defens-
to Justice in Environmental Matters is im- will identify new trends in “sports for the es, maritime security, military mobility, and
portant to the Presidency, and they aim future” as part of the next EU Work Plan response to complex emergencies in the
to reach a consensus on aligning EU law for Sport. ■ framework of EU-NATO cooperation. ■
with the convention. ■#THEÜBERSICHT #THEÜBERSICHT
Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union
>WHO IS WHO? >WHO IS WHO?
AGRIFISH EYCS ECOFIN EPSCO
Agriculture Fisheries Education Youth & Sport Culture Finance Economic Policy Social Affairs Consumer Protection Health
Socialist Party Socialist Party Independent Socialist Party Independent Socialist Party Socialist Party Independent
MARIA DO CÉU RICARDO SERRÃOL TIAGO BRANDÃO JOÃO PAULO GRAÇA JOÃO PEDRO SIZA ANA MENDES JOÃO MARTA
ANTUNES SANTOS RODRIGUES REBELO FONSECA LEÃO VIEIRA GODINHO TORRES TEMIDO
Minister of Agriculture Minister of Maritime Affairs Education Minister Secretary of State Minister of Culture Minister of State Minister of State Minister of Labor, Solidarity, Secretary of State for Trade, Minister of Health
for Youth and Sport for Finance for the Economy, and Social Security Services, and Consumer
and Digital Transition Protection (under Ministry
of the Economy)
TTE ENVI GAC JHA COREPER
Transport Energy Telecommunications Environment Coordination Justice Home Affairs Ambassador
Socialist Party Independent Socialist Party Independent Independent Socialist Party
PEDRO NUNO JOÃO PEDRO MATOS JOÃO PEDRO SIZA JOÃO PEDRO MATOS ANA PAULA FRANCISCA EDUARDO PEDRO
SANTOS FERNANDES GALAMBA VIEIRA FERNANDES ZACARIAS VAN DUNEM CABRITA LOURTIE
Minister for Infrastructure Minister for the Environment Deputy Minister and Minister of State Minister for the Environment Secretary of State Minister of Justice Minister for Home Affairs Deputy Permanent
and Housing and Climate Action Secretary of State for the Economy, and Climate Action for European Affairs Representative
for Energy and Digital TransitionFURTHER INFORMATION
EURACTIV EUROPEAN EURONEWS
28 OCTOBER 2020 POLICY CENTRE 1 JANUARY 2021
3 DECEMBER 2020
Portugal EU presidency to present Portugal takes on EU’s rotating
‘Charter of Digital Rights’ Portugal’s priorities for the Presidency presidency from Germany
of the Council of the European Union
EURACTIV EUOBSERVER OFFICIAL WEBSITE
1 DECEMBER 2020 15 DECEMBER 2020 Portuguese Presidency of
the Council of the EU
Portuguese presidency wants to Portugal will refocus EU on social rights,
strengthen trust in EU social model PM says
UNDERSTANDING POLITICS
ENVISIONING THE FUTURE
ANALYSIS, STRATEGY
POSITIONING
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