The Courier

Seat of the Portuguese Presidency 2007.

© Hegel Goutier

On the major topics on the agenda of the Portuguese Presidency

It is an agenda filled with political and institutional subjects, questions linked with justice, home affairs and foreign affairs. But to summarise, the top priority is to produce the future Treaty on European Union. We have received the mandate to do it before the end of December from the German Presidency and we want to comply with that mandate. In fact not just comply, but fulfil that mandate.

On external relations, our intensified dialogue with Brazil is a priority. We organised the EU-Brazil Summit here, an initiative by the Portuguese Presidency. The Summit was a great success. We expect to do the same with Africa in December.

Of course social issues, which relate to energy, the environment and climate change feature high on the agenda. Issues relating to immigration, both legal and illegal are important as well. So the agenda is pretty full, but I would pick relations with Brazil and Africa for special emphasis.

Points being driven forward by the Portuguese Presidency

I would mention all the issues relating to the new round of the Lisbon Strategy which concerns the guidance of economic and social development and relations with Europe. We must prepare the revision of the Lisbon Strategy as well as those relating to energy. But what qualify as real Portuguese initiatives are the first EU-Brazil Summit and the second EU-Africa Summit. As you know, the first EU-Africa Summit was held in Cairo under the Portuguese Presidency in 2000 and that commitment that is being revisited. It took seven years for this Summit in December, once again as a Portuguese initiative and I believe that it underscores the importance of the commitment that Portugal has to African issues. We will do everything in our power for Europe as a whole to engage with Africa and, of course, for Africa to engage in a structured dialogue with Europe.

In parallel with the EU meetings with Brazil and Africa, we are seeing a rapprochement between Brazil and Africa. Did Portugal play a role in that?
Portugal has a special relationship with Brazil. Brazil is a big country, and we have a part in its history. It is a country that speaks our language. It is a modern-day power which has leadership, for example, in terms of the energy dialogue and trade relations. But Brazil is steering its own course. It is a good thing that Brazil, like Portugal, is engaging with Africa, and that it is interested in Africa. It is also important that global relations should be more balanced. So we can only support the dialogue that Brazil wants to have with the large regional bloc, with the African continent. For us, it is important to ensure more regulated and more balanced globalisation. The fact that Brazil is Portuguese-speaking makes it even more special for us. It is an emotional factor for us.

On the Chinese breakthrough in Africa

Obviously, every country, every region and every continent has the right to choose its partners and to run its foreign policy. But I think that Europe, through its very special ties with Africa and its very close relations, must have a very special relationship. Africa is closer to Europe than to China. I think that Africans, when they travel or study abroad, go to Europe rather than China. In Portugal, our businesses turn towards Africa rather than China. There is an obligation for us to do everything we can to ensure that these long-established links that are so close and so human between Europe and Africa are preserved and developed. It is natural for Africa to diversify its relations and engage with new partners, but beyond that, Africa must continue to consider Europe as an essential partner.

On the absence of awareness in the EU of the desire for Europe around the world

Perhaps Europe is not fully aware of certain things. Today, we are still feeling the full impact of globalisation. We all need to adapt to it. I would almost go as far as to say that to an extent, we have overlooked Africa and not given it all the attention it deserves. Perhaps it is because of a degree of indifference that Africa is looking for other partners, or that others are focusing on Africa. There has been a sort of vacuum, which can only be filled with a firmer commitment from Europe. It is also our intention to draw our partners’ attention to that, as this oversight must not continue. We must turn our attention to it urgently. Personally, I view relations with Africa from the viewpoint of globalisation. It is just not possible for Africa to be left out, that cannot be allowed to happen, and I will fight to prevent it. That is a new challenge of globalisation. In particular, for civil society, the youth of Africa, its intellectuals, all Africans. We need to make major efforts along those lines, because it is in Europe’s interest.

The good news concerning the African economy

The situation is actually rather paradoxical. While there are a number of shining examples and things that are moving, civil society which is becoming stronger and democracy that is consolidating, unfortunately there are still serious conflicts and problems with development. There are still conflicts in Darfur, Somalia etc., which continue to pose challenges and regrettable problems.

And there are things that are moving in the right direction. But the contrasts are ever-present, and these are the contrasts that we will try to eliminate.

EU Presidency 2007

www.eu2007.pt

The most important political gatherings, according to the Portuguese Presidency

EU-Brazil

4 July

The Summit launched a strategic association between the two parties, with one of the aims to strengthen EU-South American relations. One of its conclusions was a commitment to “rescue Doha”. This likely attracted attention from the ACP countries, who may have been interested in the type of rescue planned.

European Development Days

7–9 November

After Brussels in 2006, this will be an opportunity for open discussions about EU development policy, avoiding once again the staid character of the international political fora. The theme: ‘Will climate change development?’ www.eudevdays.eu

2nd EU-Africa Forum

8 and 9 December

The European Commission’s proposals for the agenda include energy, climate change, migration, mobility and employment, democratic governance, the institutional architecture and joint EU-Africa policy.

The African Union emphasised the importance of putting urgent issues in African development on the agenda, including agriculture and food security. The majority of heads of state and government of both parties will attend, including President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. Despite the reluctance of certain MEPs and some EU Member States, the Portuguese Presidency felt it important to invite all heads of state with no exceptions. This view was shared by the African Union.

Intergovernmental conference for a new EU Treaty

13–17 December

The conference aims to bring an end to the turmoil in the European Union following the failure of the draft Constitution. The Portuguese Presidency will have a tough task, although it is determined to demonstrate its ability to rally the Member States around the proposal.