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Portugal's EU Presidency: A Bold and Ambitious Agenda

Core Content

Portugal assumed the EU Presidency in early July 2007, inheriting a complex policy agenda from the German presidency. This marks the beginning of an 18-month period aimed at focusing three EU presidencies on shared goals and themes. The agenda is both extensive and challenging, requiring Portugal to address key EU and international issues while also advancing its own priorities.

Main Priorities

1. Reform Treaty Negotiations

• The primary task of the Portuguese presidency is to draft a new EU treaty during the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) starting on July 23, 2007.
• Prime Minister José Sócrates aims to have the treaty ready for signing at the EU summit in Lisbon in October 2007, with the goal of having it enter into force by the 2009 European Parliament elections.
• Challenges include accommodating opt-outs and overcoming opposition from countries like Poland and the UK regarding the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

2. EU-Africa Cooperation

• Portugal has emphasized the need to strengthen economic and political ties with Africa.
• An EU-Africa summit is planned for December 2007, the first in seven years, reflecting this focus.
• The broader objective is to redirect EU attention towards the developing world, countering perceived increases in American and Chinese influence.

3. Turkey's Accession Talks

• Portugal is committed to continuing EU-Turkey accession negotiations, despite strong opposition from countries like France.
• It views Turkey as a key partner in engaging with the Muslim world.
• The EU's stance on Turkey will be tested in the coming months, with the possibility of a unilateral declaration of independence from Kosovo.

4. Kosovo's Final Status

• Portugal faces pressure to maintain a unified EU stance on Kosovo's independence.
• Several EU member states, including Spain, Romania, Slovakia, Greece, and Cyprus, are hesitant to support Kosovo's secession from Serbia.
• The situation remains fragile, with the UN resolution deadlocked in the Security Council.

5. EU-Russia Relations

• Portugal has pledged to engage in dialogue with Russia on "all difficult issues."
• The EU-Russia summit in Lisbon in October 2007 will be a critical opportunity to address tensions, including energy, immigration, missile defense, and Kosovo.

6. Energy Security and Climate Change

• These issues, which were central to the German presidency, will continue to be a focus for Portugal.
• Maintaining European unity on these topics will be a key indicator of the success of the EU's common foreign policy.

Key Information

• Portugal is a relatively small and economically modest country, yet it has taken on a significant and ambitious agenda.
• Prime Minister José Sócrates is a reformer with a track record of addressing domestic economic challenges.
• His vision of "Europe cannot stand still" suggests a proactive approach to EU reform and international engagement.
• The success of Portugal's presidency will depend on its ability to navigate internal EU divisions and external challenges.
• The upcoming months will be crucial in determining whether Portugal can effectively lead the EU in these complex and sensitive areas.

Conclusion

Portugal's EU Presidency presents a formidable set of challenges, ranging from treaty reform to foreign policy issues in Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. The country's leadership under José Sócrates is seen as both capable and determined, with the potential to influence the direction of the EU. The coming months will be a test of Portugal's ability to foster unity and drive progress on these critical issues.