Lisbon, Jan. 13, 2021 (Lusa) – The Secretary of State for European Affairs "would very much like" to have a first meeting during the Portuguese EU Council presidency with the new US President, Joe Biden, to discuss the new transatlantic agenda.

"We would very much like to have a first meeting with President Biden if possible, because he will also come to Brussels for a NATO meeting," said Ana Paula Zacarias in a videoconference presentation of the priorities of the Portuguese EU Council presidency.

In the debate organised by the Portuguese Embassy in Spain and the Royal Elcano Institute, she stressed that it would be "very important and very interesting" for the two sides to start talking about the "new transatlantic agenda" proposed by European leaders last December.

After four years of Donald Trump's presidency, the 27 intend to discuss with the new US government issues such as defence and foreign policy, a new technology agenda and also a new trade agenda, among other matters.

"There is a lot to work on and there is the unanimous will of all members of the EU to continue with this agenda, which we hope to be able to start during the Portuguese presidency," she said.

She warned that "it is not yet clear" that discussions on the new transatlantic agenda could be initiated during the first half of the year by the Portuguese presidency, because the "internal agenda" of Biden and his government "will take up a lot of time".

At the beginning of the presentation, Ana Paula Zacarias stressed the "happy coincidence" that the current fourth Portuguese EU Council presidency will take place 35 years after the accession of Portugal and Spain, and despite the current "complex and difficult" moment, characterised by the biggest economic and health crisis since World War II.

Lisbon defined "three major priorities" to develop during the six months ahead of the fate of the EU that began at the beginning of the year.

Firstly, it is about promoting a European recovery leveraged by the climate and digital transitions, which includes matters such as the current vaccination against Covid-19 in all member states, the economic recovery after the crisis caused by the pandemic and "working on the approval" of the Climate Law.

Lisbon will then implement the " EU Social Pillar ", an essential element to ensure a "fair and inclusive" climate and digital transition.

Finally, "strengthening the strategic autonomy of a Europe open to the world", which includes issues such as the approval of a trade agreement with Latin American countries and the organisation of a summit with African countries, which is not yet confirmed.

For Ana Paula Zacarias, "the objective is simple" and involves "undertaking together" a path that places Europe on the "path of economic growth" in a way that "is inclusive, fair, sustainable and innovative".

The presidency of the EU Council is held in a rotating system by member states for periods of six months in which the country responsible runs meetings at all levels of this EU institution.

FPB/AYLS // AYLS

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