15/02/2021 (Agence Europe) – The Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU would like to give itself more time to secure a majority around a renewal of the negotiating mandate for the Council of the EU on the regulation on the coordination of social security systems. According to our information obtained on Monday 15 February, the proposed mandate is expected to be presented at the meeting of Member States’ ambassadors on Wednesday 24 February, instead of 17 February (see EUROPE 12655/25). If the renewed mandate is approved by the national delegations, the Portuguese Presidency could resume interinstitutional negotiations with the European Parliament as early as March. (PH)