Informal video conference of European affairs ministers, 18 January 2021

Main results

Work programme of the Portuguese presidency

The Portuguese presidency presented its priorities for the next six months.

Portugal has set out three main priorities for its presidency:

• promoting a recovery boosted by the climate and digital transitions;
• implementing the European pillar of social rights as a key element for ensuring a fair and inclusive climate and digital transition;
• strengthening Europe's strategic autonomy whilst remaining open to the world.

Time to deliver: for a fair, green and digital recovery" is our motto for the next semester. It is time to move from agreement to action and put in place the new instruments such as the National Recovery and Resilience Plans. Our focus is on achieving a sustainable and socially inclusive economic recovery, to be led by the green and digital transitions. Ana Paula Zacarias, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs

• Portuguese presidency work programme

Conference on the Future of Europe

EU ministers took stock of the state of interinstitutional discussions on the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Member states want the Conference on the Future of Europe to get citizens involved in a wide-ranging debate on Europe’s future in the coming decade and beyond, including in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are working on bringing the Conference on the Future of Europe to life. We want an inclusive process, with a strong involvement by citizens. We will continue the interinstitutional negotiations in order to agree on a Joint Declaration. We remain fully committed to launching the Conference during our Presidency. Ana Paula Zacarias, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs

• Council's position on the Conference on the Future of Europe, 24 June 2020

COVID-19 coordination

Ministers prepared the leaders' video conference on COVID-19 coordination to be held on 21 January. Discussions focused, among other issues, on the vaccine roll-out, three weeks after the start of the vaccination programme.

We are working on ways to strengthen the coordination, increase transparency on vaccine deliveries and support vaccination plans, exchange best practices on testing and continue to show international leadership and solidarity with our neighbours. We need to continue promoting our collective efforts to make our citizens safe. Ana Paula Zacarias, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs

• COVID-19: research and vaccines (background information)

• Video conference of the members of the European Council, 21 January 2021