The issue of the implementation of the European Recovery Plan, the vaccination strategy and social issues are among the priorities of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2021, confirmed Portugal’s Deputy Ambassador to the EU, Pedro Lourtie, during an exchange with EUROPE on Monday 11 January.
“I think it would be a great success for Europe collectively if we could have a successful vaccination and a successful implementation of the (European) Recovery Plan during this semester”, confided the diplomat. The “social marker” of the Portuguese Presidency is also “essential” to guarantee an inclusive recovery in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights, he immediately added.
The focus on the social issue was decided well in advance of the health crisis, Mr Lourtie said, because of the challenges of the dual green and digital transition. “It was clear for those two transitions to be fully successful, we need to have a strong social pillar”.
In this regard, the Deputy Ambassador confirmed that the Porto Summit on 7 and 8 May will follow the structure of the Gothenburg Summit (see EUROPE 12631/13, 11907/1). “There will be a first day of more open discussions with the institutions, with social partners, with stakeholders. Then the second day, it’s an informal European Council and the idea is to discuss the implementation of the social pillar”, he said. As for the expected result, the diplomat remained cautious.
Several difficult dossiers in the social field await the Portuguese Presidency, such as the difficult inter-institutional negotiations on the coordination of social security systems (see EUROPE 12618/24), which it wants to conclude. Another major project is the proposal for a directive on minimum wages. “This is not an issue on which the Member States are unanimous”, Mr Lourtie commented, with a certain sense of euphemism (see EUROPE 12615/4).
The issue of combating homelessness will also be addressed. The Portuguese Presidency wishes to support the creation of a European cooperation platform aimed at strengthening the role of the EU in this area. “We will try to put the discussion among ministers perhaps in a more informal setting”, he said.
Health. On health technology assessments (HTA - see EUROPE 12547/13), Mr Lourtie remained very cautious here too: “We will see whether it is possible to get, during this semester, an EU Council position. It’s always hard for a presidency to fix these sort of goals because it all depends on the dynamics of the negotiations and it depends on the 27 Member States. It’s better to work toward those goals instead of fixing goals”.
With regard to the Conference on Access to Medicines and Medical Devices scheduled for the end of April in Lisbon, the diplomat said he hoped that it will be possible to adopt EU Council conclusions by June. “We want to encourage a debate with the Member States and we hope that we can get some guidance from the EU Council. This is what we are aiming for at the last EU Council in June “, he said.
Internal market. As for the recovery policy, Mr Lourtie reiterated the importance of deepening the Single market. “The Commission is due to present a strategic report on the functioning of the Single market very soon and this strategic report can be a very good basis” for discussions between Member States, he considered. “Our idea is for the ‘Competitiveness’ Council of the EU to be able to hold a debate in February that also includes this issue”, he added, adding that this issue will be on the agenda of the Spring European Council.
A debate will be organised at the ‘Competitiveness’ Council of the EU in May on the updating of the industrial strategy. No conclusions are expected, he said.
To consult the programme of the Portuguese Presidency: https://bit.ly/38Xm0oS (Original version in French by the editorial staff)