Lisbon, Jan. 15, 2021 (Lusa) - The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said on Friday described coronavirus restrictions as "absolutely essential" to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, recalling concerns about the new variant of the virus.

Von der Leyen spoke at a joint news conference with Portugal's prime minister, António Costa, at Lisbon's Belém Cultural Centre in Lisbon after a plenary meeting with the host government, which has the presidency of the Council of the European Union until 30 June.

The commission president began by saying that Portugal's presidency could not take place "at a more sensitive time" for the EU, acknowledging that the epidemiological situation was "very serious" in several member states. She said that the new variants of the virus that have been identified in the UK and Brazil are worrying as they increase the speed of spread of the virus.

For this reason, and although the restrictions being imposed across the EU have "a tremendous impact on people", von der Leyen argued that they "are absolutely fundamental" to tackling the pandemic, saying that it was "imperative" that citizens remain safe.

"It is tough, but we are in this together and we must overcome this pandemic together," she said. "The European Union will support member states in all possible ways."

Von der Leyen's comments came on a day when a new lockdown came into force in mainland Portugal due to the worsening of the pandemic, with residents told to stay at home where possible, with the exception of schools, where face-to-face education continues.

The president of the European Commission arrived in Lisbon on Friday morning for the traditional visit by members of the commission to the country holding the presidency of the EU Council. Because of the pandemic, it took place in a reduced format, with only eight commissioners travelling with her, instead of the whole EU executive, and with the programme reduced to one day from the usual two.

Von der Leyen was accompanied by her three executive vice-presidents, Frans Timmermans (in charge of the European Green Deal portfolio), Valdis Dombrovskis (Economy), Margrethe Vestager (Digital), as well as Mr Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Policy.

The delegation also included the commissioner from Portugal, Elisa Ferreira (Cohesion and Reforms), Nicolas Schmit (Social Affairs - one of the main priorities of Portugal's presidency), Margaritis Schinas (in charge of Promoting the European Way of Life) and Maros Sefcovic (Interinstitutional Relations).

After the joint news conference with the head of the Portuguese executive, von der Leyen had a videoconference meeting with the speaker of Portugal's parliament, Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues.

A meeting was also scheduled with Portgal's president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, followed by a working dinner with the prime minister.

BYC/ARO // ARO.

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