The President of the Republic today greeted and wished success to the Portuguese presidency of the European Union, highlighting the processes of vaccination against Covid-19 and the attribution of financial aid to Member States to face the current crisis.
In a note released on the website of the Presidency of the Republic on the Internet, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa foresees “six months of great commitment by the Portuguese authorities and the affirmation of Portugal, both in Brussels, but also all over the world”, as an “international actor of first line'.
«Being a member state of the European Union makes us a first-rate international actor and this presidency is a rare moment to direct the destinies and decision-making of this community of values, promoting peace, human rights, equality, solidarity and stability and the sustainable well-being of European citizens, but also the improvement of living conditions in many other parts of the world», he considers.
According to the head of state, "it is this equality and solidarity of the European Union that will allow its 450 million citizens to be vaccinated" against covid-19, "as well as providing financial aid" to face the crisis social and economic effects caused by the pandemic.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa says that “the priorities defined by the Portuguese government for this presidency”, during the first half of 2021, are “to promote recovery, cohesion and European values, promote the European Union as a leader in climate action, accelerate digital transformation at the service of citizens and businesses, enhancing and strengthening the European social model, promoting a Europe open to the world».
"The President of the Republic thus welcomes the beginning of this European Presidency and wishes every success in its realization", reads the note.
On 1 January, Portugal assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union for the fourth time.
Prime Minister António Costa receives today, at Centro Cultural de Belém, in Lisbon, the president of the European Council Charles Michel, at the first official meeting of the Portuguese presidency.
The President of the Republic will be present today at the inaugural concert of the Portuguese presidency, also at Centro Cultural de Belém.
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