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  • 01-01-2021 18:17

EU/Presidency: Costa outlines priorities on first day at the Union's helm


Lisbon, Jan. 1, 2021 (Lusa) - The Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union kicks off On Friday with the success of vaccination against Covid-19 and the economic and social recovery of Europe among its priorities, Prime Minister António Costa said in a message on Twitter.

"The Portuguese Presidency of the European Union begins today. Portugal will be at the helm of the European Union for the next six months, committed to the success of vaccination programme and Europe's economic and social recovery", he wrote in a tweet released today.

Recalling the motto of the Portuguese presidency - "Time to deliver: a fair, green and digital recovery" - António Costa listed "three key priorities".

The first relates to the economic and social recovery "based on the drivers of the climate and digital transitions"; the second to the development of the "Social Pillar of the European Union that is the basis of trust that will allow us to lead the climate and digital transitions without leaving anyone behind", adding that this will be the central theme of the Social Summit to be held in Porto in May.

The last of the priorities is the strengthening of the "strategic autonomy of a European Union open to the world".

"It is, therefore, time to act together as a community of values and shared prosperity", he said.

He called on the Commission to take the necessary steps to ensure that the EU's economic and social policy is not undermined.

The start of Portugal's leadership coincides with the departure of the United Kingdom, which, since 11 pm on Thursday (midnight Brussels time), has severed ties with the European Union, almost a year after it officially left the bloc of 27 countries following a popular referendum in 2016, no longer having access to the single market and no longer subject to the European Court of Justice.

IMA/ADB // ADB.

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