[28-03-2006]

Portugal has risen from 30th place in 2004 to 27th in 2006 (in a ranking of 115 countries), according to the “Global Information Technology Report”.

The report evaluates countries’ readiness to benefit from ICT developments and was published on 28th March 2006 by the World Economic Forum and INSEAD; Portugal is placed ahead of countries such as Spain, Slovenia, India, Italy, Latvia and Brazil.

The analysis is based on three lines: adequate “environment” (infrastructures, regulatory framework etc.) to develop ICT; effective use of these technologies by individuals, companies and government; these agents’ preparation level so as to take maximum advantage of this use.
The USA is at the top of this ranking, followed by Singapore, Denmark, Island and Finland.

 

[22-03-2006]

In the scope of its Technological Plan, the Portuguese Government launched a collaboration process with the Texas University in Austin on 22nd March.

This follows the signing of other agreements with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). Their aim is to develop activities in teaching and research, support the commercialisation of science and technology and institutional development; special emphasis is given to the production and diffusion of digital and multimedia contents and to the economic valorisation of new ICTs.

This agreement also includes the development of competences in the transfer and management of technology and facilitating access to emerging markets for the development and growth of technology based companies.

The cooperation from Texas University in Austin will come mainly from two units, namely the IC2 Institute, “Innovation, Creativity and Capital”, and the College of Communication; nevertheless, other institutes and departments will be involved whenever considered opportune.

The process started with the Texas University in Austin includes an initial phase for the identification and selection of programmes, activities and instruments which will best allow the bilateral relations to prosper as intended. This first phase will last 4 months and is expected to result in medium and long term institutional agreements.

Source: Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education

[10-03-2006]

Following the meeting of representatives from the Portuguese and Finnish Governments, it was decided that members of three national agencies working in risk capital (Sitra), technological innovation (Tekes) and for the link between European Universities (Academy of Finland) will come to Portugal to participate in a seminar and meetings with their Portuguese counterparts.

According to the Coordinator of the Technological Plan, Prof. Carlos Zorrinho, the development achieved in Finland is due to policies which focus on knowledge, innovation and the link between public policies, companies and competence centres. The fulfilment of the Technological Plan in Portugal should take inspiration from this success story.

[03-03-2006]

The Portuguese Government and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) signed a protocol on 25th February which lays the foundations for a future collaboration process in the areas of R&D and Innovation. Following this date the North American Institute will identify and select the institutions in Portugal which would take best advantage of stronger bilateral relations. This selection process should be concluded in July.

MIT will study the possibility of developing basic research initiatives in engineering involving relevant aspects of interest to both management and engineering, such as innovation in the management of supply chains in emerging sectors like the automobile and aeronautic industry.

MIT will evaluate the possibility of cooperation in the infrastructure sector in energy systems and the transport area; this includes the design of airports and railway networks as well as intelligent transport systems.

MIT’s Engineering division will explore the possibility of designing programmes for the preparation of leaders with better skills in the management of Technology and Innovation.

The aim is to create a Portuguese Management School, or a consortium of Portuguese schools in the near future, working in articulation with the Sloan School of Management and others from MIT, including the Engineering Systems Division.

Information from MCTES

[07-02-2006]

On 23 January, the Minister of Labour and social Solidarity, José Vieira da Silva, presented the First Action plan for the Integration of Disabled or Incapacitated people . This plan consists of 3 Lines – Accessibility and Information; Education, Qualification and Employment; Qualifying and Ensuring Dignified Living Conditions – and 15 measures; these will be the subject of public discussion over the next 2 months and should be implemented in 2009.

According to the Deputy Secretary of State and of Rehabilitation, the plan is a “landmark in social policies”. "It is the first time that there has been an integrated reading of the problems of the disabled and the first time that the market where they are inserted has been analysed and also concepts of rehabilitation and the disabled have been standardized", she stated.

This Plan covers various areas such as Employment, Education, Professional Qualification, Access, Educational Qualifications, etc.

Measures of the Plan:

1- Approval of the National Plan for the promotion of accessibility;
2- Training courses and awareness raising activities with local authorities, Tourism professionals and agents in the media;
3- Introduction of the Curricular programme of Portuguese sign language, covering the whole of the deaf population –basic and secondary school
4- Reaching the universe of 700 blind visually impaired students by providing school books and reading material in digital format by 2009 ;
5- Implementation of 6 centres for the recognition, verification and certification of competences at national level for training adults who are disabled or incapacitated;
6- Life long training of 9500 people with disabilities or incapacities with the support of the IEFP's Local and Specialised Resource Centres;
7- Including 800 people in Pilot Projects for the Return to Work in 10 Professional Rehabilitation Centres by 2008 ;
8- Complementary training in entrepreneurship – 1000 IEFP Trainees;
9- 400 work placements in national companies with the target of 50% insertion in the labour market;
10- Creation of the figure of the reference technician in all Social Security District Centres;
11- Construction of 20 residential units – autonomous residential apartments;
12- Create 550 new places in Residential Homes for young people and adults with disabilities or dependents by 2009;
13- New model of the Supplemental Financing, Forfeiture and Attribution
14- Duplication of the number of children indicated and special support until the age of three years old
15- Creation of Intervention and Information Conditions through an integrated system of information statistics and a scientific council for disability

[27-01-2006]

On 25th January 2006, the European Commission presented the first annual progress report on the relaunched Lisbon Strategy. The report is optimistic about the implementation process of the Lisbon Strategy as a result of the active agreement between the European Commission and Member States on the accomplishment of a coordinated agenda for growth and jobs.

As an integral part of the report, the Commission released a document on the analysis of the National Reform Plan (NRP), with a view to identifying both the strengths and points to be developed in the various programmes.

The appraisal of the Portuguese NRP (PNACE 2005-2008) reveals that the European Commission is in strong agreement with the strategy, the diagnosis of the constraints and the definition of priorities outlined in the document.

Four strategic objectives for the PNACE 2005/2008 were identified – strengthening budgetary balance, promoting economic growth, competitiveness and social cohesion– and the following transversal policies: economic growth and the sustainability of the public accounts; reform of public administration; competitiveness and entrepreneurship; R&D and Innovation; territorial cohesion and environmental sustainability; efficiency of the markets; qualifications, employment and social cohesion.

In addition, it was considered that the Programme presents a variety of measures, many of which are promising. The following 'strengths' of PNACE 2005/2008 were given: the solutions indicated by the Technological Plan for the areas of science, technology and innovation and the focus on the investment in human capital.

The Commission’s report also stresses some commendable measures and policies proposed by the Governments of Member States. Regarding the Portuguese NRP, the following are noted:

(i) the setting up of a Research Institute in partnership with Spain;
(ii) the application of the one-stop shop principle for the provision of public services to citizens and to companies. Concrete examples of these worthy of mention are: “Empresa na Hora” (for the rapid start-up of companies), which is already available at 20 public service points nationally and which will be extended to all districts of continental Portugal by the end of the first quarter of 2006; in the ambit of the National Programme for Legislative and Administrative Simplification , the Plan for Enterprises - which envisages the simplification of registration and notary activities, a single service for accounts and an electronic fiscal and customs service - will start operating in 2006; and the “Direct Social Security” initiative launched in November 2005.
(iii) The implementation of specific programmes to improve the external competitiveness of companies, such as the opening of IAPMEI delegations, the Portugal Marca Project and the Inov-Jovem and Inov-Contacto Programmes;
(iv) the implementation of a specific programme to speed up the transition and restructuring of business (AGIIRE Programme – Gabinete de Intervenção Integrada para a Reestruturação Empresarial – Integrated Intervention Office for Business Restructuring, by the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation and by the Ministry of Labour.
(v) the implementation of policies which lead to greater financial sustainability of the pension system, such as the new retirement system for civil servants (in force from 1st January 2006); the end of roughly 30 special retirement systems which will now come in line with the general system; the speeding up of the transition to the formula for calculating pensions in the general system, which foresees mechanisms of professional solidarity and considers all contributing years of work (to be implemented as of 2006); it also promotes continuation in the workforce until a later age, with a view to bringing the actual retirement age closer to the legal retirement age (in this scope, norms allowing early retirement have already been suspended or revoked).
(vi) the reevaluation of administrative costs imposed by the legislation in force ('Legislar Melhor'- 'Legislating Better' initiative).

Meanwhile, given the ambitious strategy and the aims to be reached, there are sustained doubts about the lack of detail in the definition of some strategic priorities and in the description of some measures.

Due to this appraisal, a process will begin immediately to describe in detail and develop the measures and policies foreseen in PNACE, including information on how the many measures that have been or are being implemented are applied, as well as the data collected through the impact monitoring system and from the discussion of results with the economic and social agents and with the competent political institutions.

Lisbon, 26th January 2006

Document: Part I - Time to Deliver

Document: Part II - Country Chapters

[16-12-2005]

Since 15 December, the National Coordinator for the Lisbon Strategy, Carlos Zorrinho, has also been designated as the Coordinator for the Technological Plan. The English version of the Plan is available for download in this page.

Technological Plan (EN)

[22-11-2005]

The Lisbon Strategy was one of the highlights of the XXI Lusion-Spanish Summit, which took place last weekend, in Évora. During the event, the Portuguese Prime-Minister, José Sócrates, as well as his Spanish homologous, José Luis Zapatero, focused their attentions on matters such as jobs creation, qualification, R&D and Innovation.

The creation of an Iberian Research Institute, which should boost cooperation between both countries in fields such as computing, nuclear physics, biomedicine and nanotecnologies, and of a joint traineeships programme meant for young people (under the age of 30 years old) are two of the emblematic compromises settled in Évora.

Besides, in order to face the unemployment rate, which, according to the latest surveys, reaches in Portugal 7.7% and in Spain 9%, the Portuguese and the Spanish Governments have agreed to implement an Iberian Job Market.

Regarding “enterpreneurship”, the Protuguese Government announced the opening of IAPMEI delegations(SMEs Support Institutes) in various spanish cities until 2006.

It has also been decided that a “Regulative Council” for the MIBEL (Iberian Electricity Market) shall be designated until the first quarter of 2006 and that, until 2013, the high speed railway linking Lisbon to Madrid ought to be finalized.

 

[26-10-2005]

The Portuguese National Reform Programme - PNACE 2005-2008 will be presented to the public on Friday, 28 October, at the Centro Cultural de Belém (room: 'pequeno auditório'). The event, which will start at 10h30m, will be concluded with a speech by the Portuguese Prime-Minister, José Sócrates.

The special cousellor for the European Commission, Prof. Maria João Rodrigues, and the National Coordinator for the Lisbon Agenda (Portugal), Prof. Carlos Zorrinho, will also be present in order to explain the Programme and to state their opinion on it.

[18-10-2005]

 
European Comission launches 19 measures focused on increasing investments in Innovation and R&D

[04-12-2006]

The Summit confirmed yet again the importance of Luso-Spanish relations and the desire of the two countries to work in ever closer collaboration with each other in a number of sectors, providing continuity to a set of measures agreed on at the Evora Summit 2005.
 
The fact that Spain and Portugal are holding their XXII Summit demonstrates how this kind of meeting has contributed decisively to the strengthening of bilateral relations. This already consolidated framework has played a key role in our relations and enables them to intensify as each year passes. From the outset, the holding of summits has allowed the right work environment to be fostered to develop the potential of our two countries.
 
The talks took place in an extremely positive environment and demonstrated yet again the solidarity and collaboration existing between Spain and Portugal when they face the main challenges on the basis of increasingly solid and structured relations.
 
As a result of the increasingly structured bilateral relations, the two Heads of Government signed an International Treaty for the creation of the Braga International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory which will enable this Institute to be built in the near future in the already defined location.
 
The presence of the Presidents of the Autonomous Communities and of the CCDR Presidents was another demonstration of the importance of trans-border cooperation in the relations between our two countries.
 
This kind of cooperation extends today to sectors such as Health, Internal Administration and the Environment where initiatives have been agreed on that reflect the growing importance of trans-border cooperation.
 
Common security issues were another important topic at this summit. Besides the close police cooperation in this context, there is also an understanding on migration questions, where Portugal and Spain have shown exemplary cooperation demonstrated by Portugal’s participation in actions to supervise and combat illegal immigration in collaboration with third countries.
 
A proposal was made to create a new model of bilateral cooperation at policy level through setting up a Security and Defence Council; its format and the way it operates will be defined by the parties so that it can come into effect at the next Luso Spanish Summit.
 
At the economic level, both countries accepted their commitment to fulfil the national reform programme to increase economic growth and jobs. More specifically, there was an understanding on the creation of a development mechanism for electrical energy transport networks. Steps were also taken with regard MIBEL so that the Regulatory Council promotes the effective convergence of regulations in the two countries. There was also agreement on the development of the project creating the Iberian Gas market.
 
Advantage was also taken of the Summit to give new impetus to the highspeed railway connections; both parties expressed their commitment to meeting the deadlines set for concluding these infrastructures. It was also decided to undertake a study on the location of the international station of the Lisbon-Madrid line.
 
It was also agreed to make a joint application for community funds to build the trans-border stretches of the high speed lines which will be built between Madrid and Lisbon and between Vigo and Porto. The progress made in building the bridge over the River Tâmega was also applauded.
 
Against the backdrop of the preparations for the Portuguese presidency of the EU in the second half of 2007 and the Spanish presidency of the OSCE, the talks which took place reflected the broad agreement of interests at the external level, taking advantage of the added value of Portugal and Spain in relation to the Mediterranean basin, Africa and Latin America.
 
The two countries, with a significant ministerial representation, reviewed the main aspects of their intensive bilateral agenda, assessed the state of their relations and provided new areas of cooperation as can be seen from the conclusions of the various sectorial meetings which took place during the Summit.

Meeting of Spain and Portugal’s Lisbon Strategy Coordinators during the XXII Luso-Spanish Summit

During the XXII Luso–Spanish Summit held in Badajoz on 24 and 25 November, the third meeting took place of the national Coordinators of the Lisbon Strategy of Portugal and Spain.

This meeting followed the decision taken at the Evora Summit in 2005 to provide continuity to the exchange of information and experiences on the policies and projects of common interest, monitoring /evaluation systems of the PNRs and preparation of the Spring Summit 2007 and of the Portuguese Presidency on the evolution and review of the Lisbon Strategy in 2008.

[13-12-2006]

The European Commission published its appraisal of the first year of the implementation of the various National Reform Plans (PNR) on 12 December, based on progress reports delivered by the 25 Member States.

The Commission’s evaluation of the Portuguese PNR (PNACE 2005-2008) is very positive and encouraging. It explicitly recognises the effort made by the Portuguese Government to obtain favourable results in all dimensions of the strategy: Macro economic, Micro economic and Qualification and Employment.

Recognition is also given to the capacity of the Government and Portuguese society to respond appropriately to both the recommendations made in the European Commission’s previous report and to the priority set at the Spring Council 2006. It demonstrates in particular the capacity to implement the Programme, notwithstanding the ambition of its targets and measures.

It also stresses that the Technological Plan has contributed to strengthening the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy in Portugal.
In accordance with the document published by the Commission, in the first year of the implementation of PNACE, structural reforms of great importance were begun in various fields such as education and training, social security and the energy sector (including the pledge in renewable energies) and they are expected to have a mid term impact on the competitiveness of the Portuguese economy.

The European Commission identifies structural challenges convergent with the national perspective, namely with regard the public administration, the qualification system, the flexibility and security of the labour market, social cohesion and incomes policy. It also recognises that the Portuguese Government is addressing these structural challenges by including contextualised and suitable measures for the equity and competitiveness model found in their programme although, because of their structural nature, the impact of these measures is still in the initial phase.

[14-12-2006]

The World Economic Forum report on the level of implementation of the Lisbon Agenda reforms, published on 13 December, reveals that  Portugal rose from 17th to 13th place in the ranking of the 25 European Union Countries between 2004 and 2006.

This rise means that Portugal is placed at the European average and is proof of the country’s growing trajectory in the implementation of a determined modernisation policy, surpassing countries on this list which are direct competitors such as Spain, Greece and Italy.

The study published today consolidates and reinforces the very positive appraisal made yesterday by the European Commission evaluation of the first year of the implementation of the National Portuguese reform Programme (PNACE 2005-2008).

[14-05-2007]

The Europe-wide results will be discussed this week in London at the biannual meeting of the Ministers responsible for Higher Education in the 45 signatory countries of the Bologna Process.

In the 2006/7 academic year, about 38% of the supply of 1st and 2nd study cycles (bachelor and master degrees respectively) is being offered in accordance with the regulations introduced in the framework of the Bologna Process; it is foreseen that more than 50% of this supply will be offered in the next academic year (2007/2008) with a total of1600 higher education programmes adapted to the Bologna Process. Only about 12% of the supply of 1st and 2nd cycle will remain and be adapted in 2008/09.

Furthermore, all students graduating in 2007 will already receive a Diploma Supplement as stipulated by the Bologna regulations; it will be issued in Portuguese and English and correspond to the European format.

Also in 2007, about 70% of the programmes offered in public universities are applying the European credit system - ECTS; the figure for public polytechnic institutes is 60%, for private universities 99% and for private polytechnics about 70%. 

The significant mobilization of Portuguese institutions and the academic community in the adequacy of the Bologna process was analysed recently in an enquiry conducted by the Monitoring Committee of the Bologna Process, with the support of the Directorate General of Higher Education; it shows that Portugal today is active in its commitment to fostering the reforms necessary to pursue the Bologna objectives.  

This process took place last year following the Government’s publication of three diplomas at the start of 2006 regulating the alterations in the Base Law of the Education System resulting from the application of the Bologna Process in the Portuguese higher education system, notably: i) the legal system of the higher education levels and diplomas ii) the legal system of the technological specialisation courses and iii) the special system of access to higher education for people over the age of 23 years. After the implementation of these diplomas, the Directorate General for Higher Education recently provided the following information:
- For 2006/2007, there were 895 applications to bring existing courses in line with the new system and the General Directorate of Higher Education registered 820 courses. In addition, 282 new courses were registered from a total of 636 requests to create new teaching programmes. 
- For 2007-2008, there were 1173 applications to bring existing courses in line with the new organisation and the General Directorate for Higher Education registered 842 course until April 2007. The applicants dropped 52 requests. There were also 366 new courses registered from a total of 1030 requests to create new teaching programmes.
The higher education programmes should be in line with the Bologna Process by the end of the 2009/2009 academic year inclusively; this requires the participation of teachers and students, namely through the scientific and pedagogical councils of the teaching establishments. All study cycles must be organized in line with the European Bologna Process in the 2009/2010 academic year.

Relevant information:
- London Ministerial Meeting 16-18 May: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/bologna/ 
- Information on Portugal: http://www.dges.mctes.pt/DGES
- Comparative study of Europe: http://www.eurydice.org/portal/page/portal/Eurydice
 
Source: MCTES Portal

[16-04-2007]

The European Commission presented the voluntary Guidelines for Universities on 4th April 2007.

This document is a proposal of good practices in the transfer of technology and intellectual property rights between universities and companies.

 

[01-07-2007]

Prime Minister’s speech
27th of June 2007

Mr President of the Assembly,
Distinguished Members

1. A Presidency for a stronger Europe

On Sunday Portugal will assume the presidency of the European Union. On this occasion Portugal will reaffirm its firm commitment to the European project.

We all know that the construction of Europe is in Portugal’s interest. I am from a generation of politicians and citizens who were born into the European project and who continue to believe that it is one of the most important and generous projects both for Europe and for the world.
I therefore want to clearly state the driving force behind the Portuguese presidency of the European Union: a stronger Europe for a better world.

We want a Europe that overcomes the deadlocks that have held it back. A Europe that is able to face up to global challenges and take advantage of the opportunities of these times of change. A Europe that knows how to build new bridges of dialogues, with a more audible and decisive voice in a world in need of stability, justice and development.

The Portuguese presidency therefore revolves around three key axes: the reform of the Treaties; an agenda for modernising European economies and societies, and the strengthening of Europe’s role in the world.

2. The reform of the Treaties

The main challenge is clearly that of picking up the Treaty reform process. The agreement reached in the last European Council gives a clear and precise mandate, as always considered necessary by Portugal.

This is why I have decided to convene the Inter- governmental Conference, beginning on 23rd July, back to back with the EU Council of Foreign Ministers. Our aim is clear: to keep up the momentum of the agreement reached in Brussels and to approve a new Treaty for the European Union as quickly as possible.

The mandate adopted by the European Council introduces a very significant change: the nature of the Treaty to be negotiated has changed. Indeed, the idea of adopting a Constitutional Treaty has been abandoned in favour of a return to the tradition of amending existing Treaties. The new Treaty will be more of an International Treaty as opposed to a constitutional treaty and is not intended to totally substitute the Treaties in force.

On the other hand, the mandate allows the previously agreed institutional balance to be maintained, with changes only to the date when the so-called double-majority weighting of votes in the Council comes into force (which is postponed to 2014, with a transition period until 2017). In addition to this balance, the conditions in which the so called “Ioannina Compromise” have been improved, thus safeguarding the position of clear minorities in Council of Minister votes.

The mandate also abolishes the European Union pillar structure, and a single legal personality has been formed which is a noteworthy simplification.

The Common Foreign and Security Policy maintains its own decision processes; there has been a full return to the mechanism of structured cooperation on Defense, and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (no longer the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs) will become Vice President of the European Commission with responsibility to chair the Council of Foreign Ministers.
In relation to European citizenship, the mandate adopted retains the recognition of the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights as legally binding, with the exception of its jurisdiction in the United Kingdom. It is not too much to say that by adopting a legally binding Declaration of Fundamental Rights that puts civil and political rights on an equal footing with economic, social and cultural rights we not only strengthen the basis of European citizenship but also reassert our civilisational values, common to the identity of all Europeans.

However, I would like to highlight an important innovation in this mandate: the strengthening of the role of National parliaments in their control of European institutions’ respect for the principle of subsidiarity. This is a preventive mechanism that foresees that when half of the National Parliaments raise objections to a Commission initiative on the grounds of violating the principle of subsidiarity, the Council and the European Parliament are obliged to deliberate specifically on the maintenance or withdrawal of this proposal. The national Parliaments will be strengthened by the treaty we will prepare.

Mr. President
Distinguished Members

A mandate is not a Treaty. Europe has chosen the path through this mandate. But it has yet to progress along this path. The work awaiting us is demanding, intensive and complex. It is our job to finish this task. And I have no illusions: negotiation and coordination will always be necessary – and we must be ready for the problems that can arise and which so often become apparent as we enter the home straights of the negotiation processes. But we are starting out confidently. We are ready to conduct the work of the Intergovernmental Conference so that Europe gets a new Treaty, fit for new times.  

3. An Agenda to modernise the European economy and society

Albeit important, the reform of the Treaty is just a part of our task. Europe needs to invest more in an agenda of modernisation. Once again, our concern will be centred on the “Lisbon Strategy”. We are going to actively contribute to a new cycle of the Lisbon Agenda, which will be approved in spring 2008 during the Slovenian presidency. But as we prepare this new cycle, we will maintain the balance between the three components on that Agenda: economic, social and environmental.

Furthermore, we will launch the debate on a new technological action plan regarding energy, focusing especially on energy efficiency. We will highlight the role of bio-fuels, in particular in the framework of the relationship we wish to enhance between the European Union and Brazil. Equally, we will go forward with preparations of the EU’s position in the conference to debate the Post-Kyoto reference framework.

We shall also place the questions of water shortage and drought situations on the European agenda and re-launch the debate on the foundations for an effective European maritime policy.

We also intend to give the social dimension of the “Lisbon Strategy” the relevance and visibility it deserves. Ten years after the launch of the “European Employment Strategy”, the time has come for further debate on the best ways to coordinate employment policies with a view to fostering the creation of sustainable work posts in the current context of global competition. This line of action of the Portuguese presidency will be closely articulated with the qualification of human resources, the conciliation of work and family life, the fight against poverty and also with the debate on the so-called “flexisecurity” which is on the European agenda. This debate should be guided by the search for comprehensive and balanced solutions, translated into general and common principles common at European level, which take into account the diversity of the social realities in the different member states of the EU.

The strengthening of police and judicial cooperation in the fight against terrorism and organised crime is also on our agenda. But we cannot allow security demands to detract from openness and tolerance in our societies. It was Portugal that proposed the technological solution (SIS-ONE4ALL), conceived by a Portuguese company. This enables new member states to adhere fully to the   Schengen area so that borders with these countries will disappear at the end of the Portuguese presidency, thereby fulfilling one of Europe’s greatest wishes – the free circulation of people.  

4. Strengthening Europe’s role in the world

Mr President
Distinguished Members

The current international situation requires the European Union to assume special responsibilities. Europe must be a more active protagonist on the international stage.  

In the second half of 2007 unavoidable decisions must be taken about delicate questions on the global agenda (the future of Kosovo; Iran’s nuclear dossier; the humanitarian crisis in Darfur…) with particularly relevant bilateral Summits: India, China, Russia and the Ukraine. The relationship with the United States will also be closely monitored in the context of the strategic relevance of transatlantic relations.

But there are three initiatives in the field of European foreign policy where the Portuguese presidency wants to leave its mark: the Summit with Brazil, the Euro-Mediterranean Conferences and the Summit with Africa.

We have chosen to start the Portuguese presidency with a new EU summit: the EU-Brazil summit. We will certainly leave a very important mark in the Union’s foreign policy with this summit which will bring coherence to Europe’s relations with the emerging economic powers. Europe already holds annual summits with China, India and Russia. With the Portuguese presidency, Brazil will now be added to these summits.  With this initiative, Portugal is making its specific contribution to enriching European foreign policy, fostering a formal relationship which is of mutual benefit to Brazil and Europe.

Cooperation with the South in the framework of the Barcelona Process and the New Neighbourhood Policy is another of our priorities, hence the EUROMED Conferences. They emphasise the importance given to re-launching an in-depth policy debate with our partners on the southern margins of the Mediterranean, in particular on the subject of development and migration.

Lastly, I would like to draw attention to our presidency’s biggest initiative: Portugal proposes to convene the second EU-Africa summit in December. Europe has not had a structured institutional dialogue with Africa for seven years – an incomprehensible failing in European foreign policy. If there is one country that must take a stand against this and do everything to overcome the situation, it is Portugal. We were already central to the first, and last, Summit in Cairo in 2000 and we want yet again to be the foundation for a new strategic partnership between Europe and Africa, aimed at sustainable development, peace, combating endemic diseases and a balanced and mutually advantageous management of migratory flows.

5. Building consensus for the European project to move forward

Mr. President
Distinguished members
We are aware of the fact that we are assuming the presidency at a delicate moment in the international stage and that there have been deadlocks and bottlenecks in Europe for far too long. We must be strict, professional and disciplined in this presidency. Presidencies in themselves do not resolve all the problems. But they can make a difference if they assume clear goals, show humility in the pursuit of these goals and a will to face up to problems; if they foster the indispensable consensus between all member states so that the European project can move forward.

We are firmly resolved to do this.  We will be permanently working with the European Parliament and we are counting on close cooperation from the Commission and, more specifically, from its President, Mr. Durão Barroso. We can also count on the support of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Javier Solana. And I do not doubt the determination and commitment of all our European partners. 

I believe above all in the quality and professionalism of our diplomacy and of all the specialists at different levels who will assume the responsibilities of the presidency. Moreover, I know that I can rely on the support of the Portuguese for whom the European project has always represented a major political goal based on a broad national consensus.

[29-06-2007]

The statement was made on 28th June during a visit to Vila Real as part of the initiative “A Government that is present”. Sócrates recalled his «commitment to a referendum for ratification», but believed it to be «too soon to raise the question of ratification on the terms of the treaty. He explained that the means of ratification cannot be defined before knowing the treaty and it would also limit the conditions in which the Portuguese presidency conducted the debate among the 27 on the terms of a treaty.

Portugal is responsible for conducting the negotiations between the 27 EU countries for a «Reforming Treaty» which should be in force in 2009, thus bringing the two-year deadlock generated by the Constitutional Treaty to an end. The Prime Minister made his thoughts on the future treaty clear when he said later that day after his return to Lisbon «we are a Union, not an alliance, and therefore all the countries are indispensable». José Sócrates believes that the fact that the summit upheld Portugal’s position of not excluding Poland (that wants to retain almost the same number of votes as Germany which has almost twice the number of inhabitants) and the United Kingdom means «that Europe is back, that the European project is moving forward». The PM also stated that this work will be «the top priority [of the Portuguese presidency] for the coming months»; «we need this treaty as quickly as possible» because «Europe needs to affirm itself in the world and transmit signs of confidence».

Source: Government Portal

[17-01-2008]

This is the fourth bilateral working meeting between the two coordination teams following those in Évora, Madrid and Badajoz. It is also the first in which David Taguas has participated after he took over the position from Miguel Sebastien.

Subjects on the agenda include how the two countries will prepare the implementation of the New Cycle of the Lisbon Strategy 2008/2010, as well as the exchange of experiences and good practices of partnership.

The presentation and founding of the International Nan-Technology Institute in Braga will take place during the Summit; the decision comes within the scope of the Application of the Lisbon Strategy announced in 2005 at the Évora Summit and it was considered a good practice of this application by the European Commission.

[21-01-2008]

The Summit clearly identified the viewpoints and perspectives of the two Governments in a broad range of areas – bilateral, European and international – and their commitment to the continued deepening of relations. Such positive relations must be projected to both the European context and the international stage. 

The two countries are actively engaged in furthering the European project; they share the same perspectives on this and the subject was given special focus at the Summit, notably in the light of the provisions of the recently approved Lisbon Treaty.

The excellence and diversity of Portuguese-Spanish relations was expressed at the outset with the signing of the Agreement on the Opening of the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory in Braga (ILN). The setting up of this international Laboratory results from a decision taken at the 21st Summit which was held in Evora on 18 and 19 November 2005 when both Governments agreed on the creation of an international research and development institution in the field of nanotechnologies and nanosciences based in Portugal and managed jointly by the two countries. The Constituting Treaty of the Laboratory was signed at the 2006 Summit.

In addition, the first meeting of the Hispanic-Portuguese Security and Defence Council was held presided by the Chiefs of Government of the two countries and with the participation of the respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs and of Defence.

Cross-border cooperation is of great significant to the dynamics of bilateral relations and to the opportunity for the increased economic and social development of the regions situated along the extensive common border; this was reflected by the presence of the Presidents of the Autonomous Communities and of the Presidents of Regional Development and Coordination. The Cross Border Cooperation Operational Programme 2007/2013 was recognised as relevant for the furthering and fulfilment of future joint initiatives in the sectors of Regional Development, Health, Internal Affairs, the Environment and Communications. Greater cooperation in the various administrative areas is expected now that the two countries have already completed the normative application of the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation.

Both countries registered the continued strengthening of bilateral economic relations as well as the potential that an increasingly integrated Iberian market presents for business owners in the two countries as the natural space for the expansion of their activities. Contacts between the civil societies of the two countries continue to grow and this leads to a strengthening of mutual understanding, trust and solidarity between the Portuguese and the Spanish, thus becoming more global. It was therefore decided to boost and broaden the Portuguese Spanish Forum and Spain indicated the former President of Extremadura, Juan Carlos Rodriguez Ibarra, as their co-president of the Forum would be.

The two Governments reiterated their determination to combat terrorism, to fight against illegal immigration and all forms of international organised crime.

Once again, the Summit was an opportunity to reveal the joint engagement in the search for new areas of common interest including bilateral cooperation and new domains and also for a response to the challenges placed by the societies of the two countries. This was clear in the various sectorial meetings, the main results of which are described in annex, and demonstrated that there is a firm bilateral agenda with undoubted potential for constant upgrading

The two Governments were proud of the results achieved at this Summit and stressed the close collaboration and reciprocal trust as well as the strategic scope of relations between Portugal and Spain. They also highlighted the continued engagement of both Governments in strengthening cooperation between the two countries while taking full advantage of their proximity, understanding and mutual solidarity.

Source: Government Portal

[24-01-2008]

In the European Union context, Portugal is in 11th place ahead of countries like Italy, Denmark, Spain and Holland.

The EPI 2008*, produced by a team of experts from Yale University and Columbia University evaluates environmental quality and the vitality of the ecosystem in each country using 25 indicators distributed across six policy categories.

Portugal scores higher than the European average in 5 of the six categories analysed, namely in environmental quality, air pollution, water, natural resources and climate change. Portugal also holds quite an average position (13th) in the biodiversity and habitat category although its score is slightly below average.

Switzerland is in first place in this ranking, followed by Sweden, Norway, Finland and Costa Rica. The USA is in 39th place and China in 105th place.

This information was published on the same day that the European Commission placed Portugal among the Top 5 countries for its ambitious policies and renewable energies targets for the 2020 horizon.


*Environmental Performance Index (EPI) published in Davos by the World Economic Forum

Source: CNCLSTP

[21-02-2008]

Portugal has already exceeded the European 2010 target of 39% of electricity produced from renewable sources.

The pledge in renewable energies has been a fundamental pillar of the Government’s energy policy from the outset: 
- In the area of the security of the energy supply, by reducing our external dependence on fossil fuels;
- In the environmental area as a crucial measure in the policy for the reduction of greenhouse gases and of the National Plan for Climate Change (PNAC);
- In the economic area, given the current record prices of fossil fuels as well as the creation of cutting-edge industrial and technological research clusters in our country.

This pledge has already had visible results of great relevance:
- In aeloic energy, the installed power quadrupled in 2 years and has already exceeded the 2000MW target assuring Portugal of the biggest growth rate in the European Union in 2005-2006
- In hydric energy,18 large hydric projects have been launched in 2 years (2007-08) with a total new capacity of 2830MW and an investment of more than 2600 million euros – 3.5 times the capacity of any other launched in Portugal in such a short time;
- In biomass, the 2010 target was raised by 100MW and licences awarded with important counterparts associated to the forestry policy and combating forest fires (e.g. contracts for the clearing of forests and woodland);
- In solar energy, 3 projects of world reference are operating or are under construction (Moura, Serpa and MARL power stations).

Source: MEI

[22-02-2008]

According to this document, there was a significant increase in employment in 2007 and in the last two years nearly 6.5 million new work posts have been created and another 5 million are foreseen for 2009. The unemployment rate for this year is expected to reach 7% which is the lowest level since the mid 1980s. This report takes stock of how the Member States have applied the respective national employment programmes and has presented the extremely positive results found, despite the continuation of areas in need of greater intervention.

According to the European Commissioner responsible for Employment, Vladimír Špidla, «The recent reforms of the labor market are beginning to bear fruit». He also stated that «Structural unemployment has fallen by one third since 2004 and the employment rate in the EU, which currently stands at 66%, is getting very close to our overall goal of 70%. All Member States have launched deep-seated reforms since 2005, but some have responded more vigorously than others. We need to double our efforts to respond effectively to the challenges of globalisation and ageing, in particular by investing more, and more selectively, in lifelong training.»

Between 2005 and 2006 the unemployment rate fell from 8.9% to 8.2%, which is a significant decline that was felt in nearly all Member States. Both women and men are benefiting from this evolution, with unemployment rates falling to 9% and 7.6 % respectively. In addition, the long term unemployment rate has fallen for the second successive year and went from 4% to 3.6%.

The balance between flexibility in the labour market and security at work has been a major concern of the Member States. At present, about half of the Member States have already developed or are in the process of developing global strategies with a view to this balance between flexibility and security at work.

According to this joint report, it is necessary to increase the investment in human capital and direct it so that it can respond to the needs of the labour market in such a way as to make up for the productivity differential with the main competitors worldwide.

The pledge in learning must start early and go on throughout life, and all qualifications that are acquired during working life should be recognised throughout Europe.

A final observation is made on the need to assure a more effective forecast and observation of future needs for skills aimed at improving the economic and social integration of immigrants.

[30-04-2008]

The law also encompasses a set of measures that ensures greater flexibility in the access to further training. The legal system for part time student which gives them greater ability to manage their own school trajectory is highlighted in particular, as well as the system for the attendance of extracurricular subjects and the system for attending miscellaneous subjects.

Graduates and masters doing a work placement in order to exercise a profession will now be able to apply for support from the school social service and will be guaranteed access to the school library and IT resources where they are being trained.

The certification system of academic degrees has also been simplified and the request, and payment, of traditional documents e.g. course letters and doctoral letters, has become optional.

For more information consult the Ministry of the Economy and Higher Education Portal

[09-02-2010]

Social networking sites count today 41.7 million users in Europe. It is mostly young people, children and teenagers who register with social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace or Dailymotion, and they use these new creative opportunities to express their identity. However, they do not always realise that the personal information they post such as pictures and videos remains online and can be accessed by anyone, exposing them to risks such as cyber bullying or online grooming. Children and teenagers must be empowered to manage and control their online identity in a responsible way.

The seventh Safer Internet Day will focus on the topic "Think before you post!" A campaign will be launched in more than 60 countries across the world aiming to make young people aware that they can control their online identity by using the privacy settings offered by social networking sites, selecting friends online that they can trust, and publishing photos after thinking carefully about the consequences.

At last year's Safer Internet Day, 18 leading web firms signed a European agreement brokered by the Commission to improve the safety of under-18s who use social networking sites. Two more signatories joined the agreement in 2009. On 9 February, the Commission will publish a report on how these "Safer Social Networking Principles of the EU" have been implemented by the companies.

Safer Internet Day aims at promoting a safer use of the internet, online technologies and mobile phones, and the fight against illegal or harmful content and conduct.

The INSAFE network that coordinates the participation of EU and third countries in Safer Internet Day 2010 has been established by the Commission's EU Safer Internet Programme to raise awareness of online uses and risks while addressing children, parents, schools, and media. In December 2008 the EU adopted a new Safer Internet Programme for 2009-2013 which dedicates € 55 million to make the internet a safer place for children,

Safer Internet Day will be celebrated on 9 February 2010 in all EU countries and almost 40 countries around the world.
The report on the implementation of the "Safer Social Networking Principles of the EU" will be presented by the Commission at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on that day. Individual evaluation reports per company will also be available, as well as an animated, downloadable video clip reminding you to "Think before you post".

Source: European Comission

[13-10-2006]

Oliveira de Azeméis, Universidade de Aveiro Norte. Official start of software development courses

The official start of software development courses took place on Oct. 12 in Oliveira de Azeméis, at the Escola Superior de Aveiro Norte, the result of a partnership between the Portuguese Government and Microsoft. Approximately 1,000 students at over 20 different institutions of higher learning are expected to participate by the midway point of the project.

The courses, which began as pilot projects in four schools, can be broadened in the future to take in another 16 institutions, reaching approximately 500 companies which will host software development personnel.

[24-04-2008]

On the first day of the Congress, the three finalists of the “NextRev Social Innovation Award Competition” will present their ideas to the jury. The following day is devoted to plenary and thematic sessions and it will be officially opened by the Minister of Labour and Social Solidarity, José Vieira da Silva.

Speakers at the conference include Geoff Mulgan, President of the Young Foundation, António Câmara, founder and CEO of YDreams and professor at Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Diogo Vasconcelos, consultant to the Presidency of the Republic and former head of UMIC and Peter Armstrong, director of the OneWorld International Foundation. The National Coordinator of the Lisbon Strategy and the Technological Plan, Prof Carlos Zorrinho, will close the Congress.

Please go to (http://www.nextrev-lisbon.org/) for the Programme, further information and registration for the Congress.

[14-05-2008]

Thanks to intense negotiations in search of solutions that meet the announced challenges, the cohesion policy programmes for 2007-2013 will start fostering growth and job creation in all the regions of the EU Member States. This was the message transmitted by the European Commissioners Danuta Hübner (Regional Policy) and Vladimír Špidla (Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities) when they presented the results of the negotiations. 


For more information on the new Cohesion programme consult:

 http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/atlas2007/fiche_index_en.htm 
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/esf/index_en.htm


Source: GCNELPT

[19-10-2007]

José Sócrates also declared, during the press conference at the end of the first day of the Lisbon Informal Summit, that EU's reform Treaty will be formally signed on 13 December, in Lisbon.

For the current president of the Council of the EU, this accord on the new Treaty will allow Europe to «overcome the impasse of many years and overcome its institutional crisis, giving thus an important step towards its affirmation».

«With this accord and with the new Treaty, Europe shows that the European project is developing itself», stressed José Sócrates, also emphasizing that, from today, Europe can look ahead confidently into its future.

«The Portuguese presidency has fulfilled its plan: to discuss and approve the Treaty on Thursday and on Friday to start discussing important matters for the future of the EU», declared José Sócrates. The president of the Council of the EU also made a point of publicly thanking the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, for the support given to the presidency throughout the process for the conclusion of the Treaty.

During the press conference José Manuel Barroso stated that he was «extremely happy» with the accord of the 27 countries of the EU. «It is true that during the German presidency great steps were taken, but it was with the determination and the competence of the Portuguese Presidency that we have reached this historic accord», said the president of the Commission.

According to Barroso, with the reform Treaty Europe will be stronger to assume its role in the world and to solve the economic problems of its citizens». 


Source: www.eu2007.pt

[02-06-2008]

On the first day of the event, the three finalists of the “NextRev Social Innovation Award Finalists Competition” presented their idea to the jury. The following day was devoted to plenary and thematic sessions and was opened by the Minister of Labour and Social Solidarity, José Vieira da Silva.


Geoff Mulgan, president of Young Foundation, António Câmara, founder and CEO of YDreams and professor at Lisbon’s Universidade Nova, Diogo Vasconcelos, consultant to the Presidency of the Republic and former manager of UMIC and Peter Armstrong, director of the OneWorld International Foundation were all speakers at the congress which was closed by the National Coordinator of the Lisbon Strategy and the Technological Plan, Prof Carlos Zorrinho.


More information available at http://www.nextrev-lisbon.org/
Source: GCNELPT

[03-06-2008]

It aims to give recognition to Portuguese and European companies/entities whose innovations contribute to good environmental performance.



This year’s edition has a new feature: the Environmental Innovation Day. This is a day devoted to environmental innovation when the nominees for the award will have the opportunity to present their innovations to the jury and make them know to the audience – a business to business encounter.



The event closes with the Award Winning Ceremony attended by senior representatives of the Ministry of the Environment, Land Use Planning and Regional Development.


For more information consulte www.pnia2008.eu  



Source: IAPMEI

[02-07-2008]

The European Commission Delegation accompanying the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy in Portugal will make its annual visit here on 4th July to meet those responsible for the agenda’s implementation nationally and with the social partners so as to evaluate the evolution of the structural reforms underway in the scope of the NAPGE (PNACE) 2005-2008 and the strengths of its updating for 2010 (New Cycle of the Lisbon Strategy).

The meeting will be held at the Cabinet for the Coordination of the Lisbon Strategy and Technological Plan and will be chaired by the National Coordinator of the Lisbon Strategy, Carlos Zorrinho, and the Head of the EC Mission, Gert-Jan Koopman (DG Economic and Financial Affairs).

The responses of the Portuguese Government to the specific recommendations defined by the Spring European Council 2008 will be explained at the meeting. It is noted that the implementation process of the Lisbon Strategy in Portugal was classified as making “Good Progress” at this Council – the second highest of 7 possible categories.

The implementation of concrete measures in the four priority areas indicated by the Spring European Council 2008 will also be discussed with special emphasis on the areas of climate change, innovation networks and mobility.

In addition to making a joint evaluation of the process, the meeting also aims to further strengthen the good partnership that already exists between Portugal and the European Commission in the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy.
Lisbon, 2nd July 2008
Cabinet of the National Coordinator of the Lisbon Strategy and Technological Plan

[03-07-2008]

The European Commission today proposed the launch of an initiative aimed at creating more opportunities for youth volunteering in Europe. At present, there are few opportunities for young people who want to take part in voluntary work in another Member State. With this proposal, the Commission strives for a solution that respects the diversity of the voluntary systems and facilitates their greater interoperability, opening them up to voluntary workers from other EU countries.  



As the European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Ján Figel, stressed when the Commission’s proposal was adopted «This is really the Commission’s first recommendation in the area of youth policy. With this proposal, the Commission now invites the Member States to change the European scenario of youth volunteering so as to give young people more opportunities to do voluntary work in countries other than their own.»



Youth volunteering

The initiative is addressed to young people in the European Union under 30 years of age who wish to volunteer in a country other than their own. This work is distinct from formal employment situations because it is generally unpaid (with the exception of some pocket money and the payment of certain expenses) and covers a limited period of time (typically several months). The volunteers can work in a wide range of areas such as civil protection, social inclusion, cultural preservation, regional development and the environment.

 Participating in voluntary work in another country is a very special experience for young people and is potentially very beneficial to their personal development. This kind of non-formal education — learning outside of the classroom — can improve youths’ employment and career perspectives as well as reinforce certain values such as solidarity and active participation in the society to which they belong. 



Current situation

Youth volunteering in Europe is characterised by a great diversity and number of systems. In some countries, it is based on civic services organised by public entities while in others it is managed by non governmental organisations. 

 In Europe, the EU has a «Youth in Action» programme that offers a range of volunteering opportunities, notably the European Voluntary Service, (EVS). This service enables youths to do temporary voluntary work for up to one year in another country participating in the programme. However, the demand for cross border opportunities far exceeds what the ESV can provide. 



The proposal
The Commission encourages Member States to improve the inter-operability of the national youth volunteering systems so as to facilitate volunteers from one country participating in voluntary work in another country.

The proposals to Member States include:

• learning about the systems operating in their country;

• publicising information about the opportunities available;

• increasing the opportunities of cross-border volunteering, in the different national systems;

• guaranteeing adequate quality assurance of voluntary work;

• ensuring appropriate recognition of what has been learnt while volunteering and

• supplying specific support to socio-educational professionals specialised in the youth field (usually known as   «youth professionals») and in work with youths with fewer opportunities.

These actions will be supported in the ambit of the «Europass» and «Youthpass» services and by promoting trans-European youth volunteering with employers, public entities and institutions. The commission will support the use of these instruments and continue to develop the European Portal of Youth Volunteering within the already existing European Youth Portal.

The proposal is intended to encourage the development of the existing mechanisms in the Member States rather than to make radical changes to them. The aim is to facilitate the mobility of young volunteers in Europe based on the current resolutions on youth volunteering and the recommendations about mobility.

This proposal is part of the EU initiative «Renewed Social Agenda: Opportunities, Access and Solidarity in 21st century Europe». It contributes to meeting the goals of this agenda by opening up the access to new opportunities of mobility, non-formal education and solidarity across borders.



For more information: 

European Commission: Youth: Voluntary Services: 
http://ec.europa.eu/youth/youth-policies/doc30_en.htm  

European Youth portal: Voluntary services:
http://europa.eu/youth/volunteering_-_exchanges/index_eu_en.html

SOURCE: EUROPEAN COMMISSION (IP/08/1098 3 JULY 2008)

 

[07-07-2008]

The Commission today presented a proposal aimed at changing the VAT directive (Directive 2006/112/CE), enabling the Member States to levy reduced VAT rates on certain specific services on a permanent basis. The Commission’s proposal is only related to areas where there is sufficient proof that the reduced rates would not hinder the good operation of the internal market. It mainly concerns highly labour intensive sectors and those rendering services locally, including restaurants. The proposal is part of the initiative supporting SMEs («Small Business Act» – see IP/08/165), as the sectors affected consist mainly of SME. The proposal maintains the principle of an optional application of the reduced rates by Member States.

[07-07-2008]

The European Commission has adopted a regulation that automatically authorises a series of aid measures, thus allowing Member States to grant this aid without first notifying the Commission; it is expected to enter into force in the coming weeks. The regulation authorises aid in favour of SME, research, innovation, regional development, training, employment and risk capital. It also authorises environmental protection aid, aid measures aimed at fostering entrepreneurship such as aid for young innovative companies, aid for recently created small companies in assisted regions and measures tackling problems faced by female entrepreneurs e.g. difficulty in getting access to credit. In addition to encouraging Member States to concentrate their resources on aid that really benefits job creation and European competitiveness, the regulation also reduces the administrative burden for public authorities, beneficiaries and the Commission. This new General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) consolidates and harmonises into one text the previously established rules set in five distinct Regulations and enlarges the categories of state aid covered by the exemption. The Regulation will come into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal thus enabling the Member States to immediately grant better targeted aid.


Commissioner Neelie Kroes, responsible for competition, stated: "These new rules set out a clear framework to allow the Member States to grant aid targeted at job creation, boosting competitiveness and improving the environment without the Commission having to get involved. In this way the Commission is delivering on its commitments, in line with the State Aid Action Plan and the Small Businesses Act by enabling Member States to make it quicker and easier to concede appropriate state aid." 


The State Aid Action Plan adopted in 2005 (see IP/05/680 and MEMO/05/195) aims to create a simple, user-friendly and coherent set of rules that can be applied to state aid geared to promoting economic development without unduly distorting competition (thus complying with compatibility conditions set out in paragraph 3 of article 87 of the EC Treaty). The best way to achieve this simplification is by adopting “block exemptions" exempting Member States from the obligation of prior notification of the aid to the Commission.
This Regulation also makes a significant and immediately effective contribution to the Small Businesses Act adopted by the Commission in June 2008 (see IP/08/1003). It will allow the Member States to grant aid to small and medium enterprises (SME) at different stages of their development. The 26 categories of aid covered by the Regulation can be conceded to the SME. When this aid is also at the disposal of large enterprises, the SME will benefit from a special top-up. 


In line with the Commission’s "Legislating Better" initiative, the GBER also harmonises, as far as possible, all horizontal aspects related to the different fields of the state aid concerned. Thus, the GBER incorporates the content of a series of existing state aid instruments adopted by the Commission since 2001: aid to SMEs, research and development aid in favour of SMEs, aid for employment, aid for vocational training and aid with regional objectives. In addition, the regulation integrates five categories that had not benefited from a block exemption: environmental aid, innovation aid, research and development for large companies, aid in the form of risk capital and aid for businesses recently started by female entrepreneurs.  The exemption conditions for this kind of aid measures conform with the recently adopted community Framework for state aid for environmental protection (see IP/08/80 and MEMO/08/31), the risk capital Guidelines (see IP/06/1015) and the community Framework for state aid to research and development and innovation (see IP/06/1600 and MEMO/06/441).


The regulation builds further on the Framework for environmental protection aid by exempting a set of varied subsidies promoting environmental protection from notification. The simplified treatment foreseen in the regulation provides the Member States with an additional tool to implement the EU’s Climate Action Plan (see IP/07/29 and IP/08/80).


 The aid measures not included in the GBER are not necessarily illegal. They will simply remain subject to the traditional means of mandatory notification which the Commission will examine on the basis of the existing guidelines and frameworks.


The aid categories authorised by the GBER are as follows:

- SME Investment and employment 

- Small enterprises recently started by female entrepreneurs

- Consultancy in favour of SMEs

- SME participation in fairs

- Risk capital 

- Research and development

- Technical feasibility studies 

-  Costs incurred by SMEs for industrial property rights

- Research and development in the agriculture and fishing sectors

- Young innovative enterprises

- Innovation consultancy services and innovation support services 

- The loan of highly qualified personnel

- Training

- Recruitment of disadvantaged workers by means of wage subsidies

- Recruitment of disabled workers by means of wage subsidies 

- Compensating the additional costs of employing disabled workers 

- Regional investment and employment 

- Small businesses recently set up in assisted regions 

- Investments to go beyond community standards for environmental protection 

- Acquisition of transport vehicles that go beyond community standards for environmental protection 

- Early adaptation to future community standards for SMEs 

- Investment promoting energy saving measures

- Investment promoting high efficiency cogeneration

- Investment promoting energy produced by renewable sources

- Environmental studies

 - Tax reductions in the environmental field

The GBER is available at the following website:
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/state_aid/reform/reform.cfm 

See also MEMO/08/482

[11-07-2008]

The Business Forum for Multilingualism, set up in 2007 to study how language skills can impact trade and jobs in the European Union, delivered its report to Commissioner Orban today. The report gives a clear picture of the measures that need to be taken to help companies gain access to new markets and business opportunities in a globalised world. It is based on research reports, case studies, interviews and the personal experiences of members of the Forum, chaired by Viscount Etienne Davignon, Belgian Minister of State and former Vice President of the European Commission.



Multilingualism Commissioner, Leonard Orban, stated: «This Business Forum report underlines the importance of multilingualism to European companies, proving how linguistic diversity and investing in language and intercultural skills can be turned into real opportunities for prosperity that benefit everyone. Its conclusions and recommendations are an excellent contribution to the new strategic communication on multilingualism which I intend to present in September. They are also clearly in tune with the objectives defined in the Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs.»


Vice-President Günther Verheugen, Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry, endorsed the report, saying: «Investing in language skills and managing diversity will be crucial for the European society to fully benefit from the globalised world. Knowledge of different languages allows for communications, understanding and the finding of new solutions. It is high time that education and vocational training systems took these needs into account and offered everybody a broad range of skills. More than ever, our society needs the active promotion of intercultural exchange and cross border cooperation.»


The following main points emerge from the Business Forum report:

1) Europe is running the risk of losing competitiveness in relation to the emerging economies particularly in Asia and Latin America where they are rapidly acquiring solid language skills together with other competences necessary for successful competition.

2) Formal and informal learning of various languages should be actively promoted in the EU Member States as companies need an increasingly diversified workforce. Language skills are vital if tomorrow’s workforce is to consider all of Europe as its work base. 

3) Language strategies need to be approved at the highest management level in companies across Europe. This could for example take the form of investing in language training, employing native speakers and ensuring good multilingual communication via the Internet.

4) Companies need support for their efforts to use language strategically, notably through the existing networks and structures. The role of national organisations for the promotion of exports, e.g. trade councils, is considered crucial in this respect. 

5) A European platform is required for a structured exchange of information and best practices in the field of multilingualism in companies.



Prominent business representatives at the Forum include:

• Winfried Albrink, Head of Training, Henkel Group;

• Henning Dyremose, Chairman of the Danish Trade Councul and former Managing Director of TDC (Danish Telecom);

• Sabina Klimek, manager in Deloitte Business Consulting;

• Peter Mathews, Chairman and Managing Director of Black Country Metals Limited and 

• Caroline Jenner, CEO of Junior Achievement Young Enterprise Europe, a support network for young entrepreneurs.



 The full text of the report and respective summary are available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/languages/index_en.htm


For more information on languages in the EU consult: 
http://europea.eu/languages

Source: European Commission


[11-07-2008]

The Representation of the European Commission in Portugal publishes the National Report on Portugal today, 11 July; it was prepared using Euro barometer 69 data which is a public opinion study conducted by the European Commission between 25 March and 4 May 2008.

The report is available on the European Commission Representation in Portugal web page, at the following address:
http://ec.europa.eu/portugal/comissao/index_pt.htm

The National Report on Portugal was written by national experts and analyses the current climate of Portuguese public opinion about the national and European situation, the economy and the labour market and the perspectives for the future development of the European Union.

Eurobarometer 69 was conducted in all Member States of the European Union, the three candidate countries (Croatia, Turkey and the former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia) and in the Turkish community of Cyprus. Face to face interviews were conducted with 30,170 people by the TNS Opinion & Social for the study, the first results of which were published on 24 June.

The standard Eurobarometers analyse the state of European public opinion on general and European policy issues. They have been conducted since 1973 and make a comparative analysis of public opinions in EU Member States and candidate countries so as to assess how this evolves over the years. In addition to the standard Euro barometers, published twice a year, the European Commission also conducts special Eurobarometers on subjects of current importance. 

Source: European Commission

[11-07-2008]

How can the success of the EU’s main programme in the field of higher education, the Erasmus programme, go beyond the confines of the university sector? This is the question a group of high level experts on mobility, formed by the Commission, were asked and the answers to which were published in their report (see attached document) on 10th July.

They recommend extending the range of mobility possibilities considerably during the learning phase so as to include not only university students but young people generally - those doing vocational training, at secondary school or young entrepreneurs, artists and volunteer. 

The report sets out measures aimed at overcoming the existing obstacles to mobility and proposes the creation of a new kind pf partnership – between the EU, the Member States, regions, educational establishments, companies and civil society – in order to boost mobility.

Source: European Commission

[16-07-2008]

On 16 July 2008, the Council of Ministers approved a set of provisions to promote the Portuguese language and the Portuguese cultural heritage across the world: The strategy for the recognition and promotion of the Portuguese language, aimed at cooperation, economic internationalisation, cultural dissemination and the link to the Portuguese Communities. 



The creation of the Portuguese Language Fund was also approved with an initial allocation of 30 million euros to support systems for the teaching of the Portuguese language, training of translators and interpreters for international organisations and the increase of Portuguese as a language for work and international negotiation and the creation of an Inter-Ministerial Commission to valorise Portugal’s cultural heritage in the world.


More information available at www.portugal.gov.pt
 


Source: Government Portal

[22-07-2008]

The European Commission today published the 2007 Annual Report on the protection of the Communities’ financial interest and the fight against fraud, a field for which the Commission and the Member States have shared responsibility. The report gives a statistical overview of all irregularities notified to the Commission by the Member States and indicates cases where fraud is suspected. It also describes the existing fraud control systems and presents the most significant steps taken by the Member States and the Commission in 2007 to improve prevention and the fight against fraud.



«To my mind, transparency and responsibility are the two key principles in the management of the Community rules. Irregularities and suspected fraud must be notified quickly and accurately and must be prosecuted quickly vigorously and effectively» said Siim Kallas, European Commission Vice-President for Administrative Affairs Audit and Anti-Fraud. «The growing number of notified irregularities may be a good sign that fraud control is improving. It is vital that Member States fulfil their responsibilities and notify the Commission promptly of all their suspicions. »



It is important to distinguish between fraud and irregularity: fraud is defined as an irregularity committed internationally, which constitutes a criminal act that only a judge may define as such. The real financial impact of fraud can only be measured at the end of legal proceedings. All notified irregularities are currently being studied and followed up individually. 



Irregularities and suspected fraud notified in 2007

- By their nature, the numbers given are approximate and preliminary. As a precaution, the amount given often relates to the scheme as a whole where the precise amount affected by the irregularity has not yet been determined. Although the Member States are obliged to notify irregularities, they do so with varying degrees of conformity. Furthermore, the Member States must identify irregularities where fraud is suspected. The Commission depends on the information communicated by the Member States to classify a given case as fraud.

- The estimated amount affected by irregularities has risen across the sectors but remains relatively stable as a percentage of the Budget. In the fields of own resources and agriculture, the rise is partly due to irregularities that occurred or were discovered in previous years but were not reported by the Member States until 2007. Other causes explaining the situation are the accession of the new Member States, the closure of the programming period of the pre-accession funds for the 10 new Member States and the recent increase in payments made in these countries. 

- The estimated impact of suspected fraud cases remains stable in the case of expenditure and has decreased slightly as a percentage of own resource. It should be noted that these are suspected fraud cases that are reported and not cases confirmed by the court and that the real financial impact can only be determined once the legal and administrative proceedings have run their course and after recovery and financial corrections.

- Although most irregularities are notified to the Commission within the established time limits, there is still room for improvement: on average, irregularities in the field of agriculture are notified after 1.2 years; in the field of structural support it is 0.9 years. The delay in certain Member States is very often considerable. Prompt notification is essential for effective follow-up.

- The number of Member States reporting electronically is on the rise, notably through electronic forms proposed by the Commission for agriculture and structural funds. These forms simplify data processing and improve data quality and comparability, thereby allowing a better follow up and facilitating strategic data analysis. 


The report and the respective annexes are available at the following address: http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/reports/index_en.html

Source: European Commission

[25-07-2008]

The aim of the new portal is to promote the mobility and career development of researchers, thus consolidating Europe’s position as leader in the excellence of scientific research. 



This tool allows the European Commission to provide a single access point to information and support services which assists researchers, and their families, in pursuing their careers through moving to another Member State. 



The European Commissioner underlined the importance of EURAXESS: “The path to knowledge in Europe is often obscured by too dispersed information on available career opportunities and by language and cultural barriers. The EURAXESS web portal and services are overcoming many of these challenges." Janez Potocnik went on to say: "Human resources in science are one of the cornerstones of the European knowledge systems. Researchers are at the heart of knowledge creation, transfer and exploitation. To maximise the full potential of EURAXESS, collaboration with the Member States is crucial".



This initiative complements the newly adopted Partnership for Researchers between the European Commission and the Member States which aims to improve the career development and mobility of researchers.



For more information consult:  http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess

Source: European Commission

[31-07-2008]

The European Commission today officially appointed the members of the European Innovation and Technology Institute’s (EIT) first Governing Board. The inaugural Board meeting will take place on 15 September 2008 in Budapest when decisions will be made on the ground work leading to the launch of the two or three first Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) in 2009. Today’s appointments include the Portuguese figure, João Caraça, director of the Science Department at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and professor of Science and Technology Policy at Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão.



The President of the European Commission, Durão Barroso welcomed the appointment of the EITI Governing Board, stating: "The European Innovation and Technology Institute is soon to become a reality and I am convinced that the excellence and commitment of the Board’s members will make it a success. More than ever, Europe needs a strong commitment to innovation and technology".



The EIT’s first Governing Board comprises 18 professionals who provide a collective balance of expertise and experience from the worlds of business, research and higher education in Europe. All are widely recognised in their various fields of research and the majority has both academic and business backgrounds (short bibliographies on each are included in the appendix).



The Governing Board members were chosen by an independent Identification Committee following a two-stage public consultation among the main representative organisations in Europe (see IP/08/188). The Council and the European Parliament took cognisance of the outcome of the selection process.



Following entry into force of the EIT Regulation in April 2008, and the choice of Budapest as its headquarters in June, the first Governing Board meeting on 15 September will mark the official launch of EIT’s activities.



The EIT Board will be responsible for the overall definition of strategy and for the selection, coordination and evaluation of the Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) which will be EIT’s operational centres. These communities will be extremely close partnerships pooling a critical mass of the very best European resources in business, higher education and research as well as other innovation agents. Their mission will be to generate and promote innovation in key sectors of economic and social interest. The first two to three KICs should be launched by the end of 2009.



Once the first KICs have been set up, the Governing Board will include four additional members elected from among the administrative staff, students and doctoral candidates of the EIT and KICs.



Website of the European Science and Technology Institute: http://eit.europa.eu


Source: European Commission

[18-06-2008]

The report includes the Enabling Trade Index that measures the factors, policies and services facilitating the free flow of goods between countries. In addition to “Business environment”, the index also incorporates three other pillars: market access; border administration and transport and communication infrastructures.



In the overall index, Portugal is ranked 26th among 118 economies; this corresponds to 14th place in the EU27 context.  Hong Kong and Singapore lead the table, followed by Sweden, Norway and Canada.



Cabinet of the National Coordinator of the Lisbon Strategy and Technological Plan

18 June 2008

[26-06-2008]

The meeting ‘From innovation to the imagination society – The Living Labs Centres in Portugal’ will take place at 3 p.m. on 27 June at the Lisbon Congress Centre, in Junqueira. It is jointly organised by IAPMEI and the Cabinet of the National Coordinator of the Lisbon Strategy and Technological Plan. Its aims are to debate the concept of ‘open innovation’ and analyse the state of the art of the Portuguese “Living Labs” belonging to the European Network.

Besides discussing the activities of the 6 Portuguese “Living Labs” set up in 2007 at the meeting, the possibility of funding in the NSRF and the 7th Framework programme will also be analysed.  In addition, the call for 3rd wave applications to the European Network of Living Labs will be announced. 
The matters in question are: the recent changes in the innovation process and the development of new methodologies for co-creative research and innovation; new alternatives to participated innovation; and new ways of promoting a user focused innovation system.

The work of the “Living Labs” is based on a new approach to innovation, research and development. The whole process is inverted, going from the market and specific needs of consumers to the management of permanent interactions between all those interested in the innovation process – be they companies, researchers, consumers or public agencies.

The number of Living Labs in Portugal could be increased considerably with the call for 3rd wave application which starts at the end of June.
Participation in the meeting is free of charge.

[04-09-2008]

Today the European Commission opened up a period of public consultation in order to define the best strategies in order to strengthen Europe’s position of leadership in research and innovation in the area of ITC (information technology and communications) in the next decade. Contributions made by the industry, ITC experts, politicians dealing with the field and the general public will be taken into consideration when devising a new strategy for research and innovation in the area of ITC, to be presented next year. 

This Commission document is available for public consultation at:
http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=ICTRDI 

Source: European Commission

[17-10-2008]

According to a report published by the European Community on 16 October, Portugal was the country where the poverty rate fell the most.
Data reported in 2006 showed European poverty rates varying between 10 percent for the Netherlands and the Czech Republic and 20 percent for Spain, Greece, Italy, Latvia and Lithuania, Portugal came in at 18 percent whereas eight years earlier the country was at 21 percent and in 1994, it showed 23 percent.

Compared with the year 2000, the situation worsened in several countries – Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxemburg, Poland, Sweden and Romania. Only in Portugal, Ireland, the Netherlands and Malta did there show positive figures for the poverty rate.
Source: GCNELPT

[26-11-2008]

This “budget push” is due to the European Commission’s position “to strengthen structural reforms in the context of the Lisbon Strategy,” highlighting the role of public investment in intelligent infrastructures and clean energy sources.

To consult the global communication, download the following PDF document:
Source: GCNELPT

[04-09-2009]

Today the European Commission opened up a period of public consultation in order to define the best strategies in order to strengthen Europe’s position of leadership in research and innovation in the area of ITC (information technology and communications) in the next decade. Contributions made by the industry, ITC experts, politicians dealing with the field and the general public will be taken into consideration when devising a new strategy for research and innovation in the area of ITC, to be presented next year. 

This Commission document is available for public consultation at:

O documento de consulta pública da Comissão está disponível em:
http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=ICTRDI

Source: European Commission

[27-02-2007]

This ranking is based on the dynamic behaviour of the short list of structural indicators of the 27 European Union countries, which measure the dimensions of the Lisbon Agenda, in particular in Innovation and in the development of the internal market.
This ranking confirms the positive trend of the most recent indicators in the fields of knowledge, technology and innovation and places Portugal ahead of structurally comparable countries like Spain, Italy and Greece.

Office of the National Coordinator of the Lisbon Strategy and the Technological Plan

[28-02-2007]

The main aim of the “European Growth and Jobs Monitor” study is to assess Europe’s progress in relation to the goals of the Lisbon Strategy. It also aims to quantify and introduce new variables that allow the transition to the age of knowledge to be measured – variables such as the level of workers with more advanced higher education qualifications, the sustainability of public finance and the aptitude to create added value products with greater productivity.

The European Growth and Jobs Monitor defined six areas for evaluation in order to reach these goals:
- Economic Growth
- Labour Productivity
- Development of Employment
- Qualification level of the workforce
- Growth oriented investment
- Sustainability of public finances

The nine strongest EU economies were evaluated on the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy in relation to each of the above mentioned areas. Thus, each country presented an indicator on its performance in implementing the Lisbon Strategy on the basis of its performance in each of the six categories, thereby revealing their progress in relation to the work done on meeting the goals for 2010.

Clear progress has been made in all the countries in comparison with last year in the key indicators such as growth and employment.

Sweden continues to be in first place (since 2005). Belgium was the big surprise going from 8th to 2nd place (ahead of Holland which fell to 3rd place). Spain, which was in 3rd place, went down to 5th and France fell from 6th to 9th place. Italy remains in last place for the second consecutive year.

In short, the trend is positive and there are strong signs of improvements for the European economy, indicating the success of the Lisbon Strategy.

Allianz and the Brussels Think Tank believe that the European Union should strengthen and complete the internal market, maintain a strong competition policy and maintain transparency and the open markets. In this way it can build on the advances made in the last year and solidify prosperity for the years to come.

Office of the National Coordinator of the Lisbon Strategy and the Technological Plan

[25-01-2006]

As an integral part of the report, the Commission released a document on the analysis of the National Reform Plan (NRP) , with a view to identifying both the strengths and points to be developed in the various programmes .

The appraisal of the Portuguese NRP (PNACE 2005-2008) reveals that the European Commission is in strong agreement with the strategy, the diagnosis of the constraints and the definition of priorities outlined in the document.

F our strategic objectives for the PNACE 2005/2008 were identified – strengthening budgetary balance, promoting economic growth, competitiveness and social cohesion– and the following transversal policies: economic growth and the sustainability of the public accounts; reform of public administration; competitiveness and entrepreneurship; R&D and Innovation; territorial cohesion and environmental sustainability; efficiency of the markets; qualifications, employment and social cohesion.

In addition, it was considered that the Programme presents a variety of measures, many of which are promising. The following “ strengths” of PNACE 2005/2008 were given: the solutions indicated by the Technological Plan for the areas of science, technology and innovation and the focus on the investment in human capital.

The Commission's report also stresses some commendable measures and policies proposed by the Governments of Member States. Regarding the Portuguese NRP , the following are noted:

(i) the setting up of a Research Institute in partnership with Spain ;

(ii) the application of the one-stop shop principle for the provision of public services to citizens and to companies . Concrete examples of these worthy of mention are: “ Empresa na Hora ” (for the rapid start-up of companies) , which is already available at 20 public service points nationally and which will be extended to all districts of continental Portugal by the end of the first quarter of 2006 ; in the ambit of the National Programme for Legislative and Administrative Simplification , the Plan for Enterprises - which envisages the simplification of registration and notary activities, a single service for accounts and an electronic fiscal and customs service - will start operating in 2006 ; and the “Direct Social Security” initiative launched in November 2005.

(iii) The implementation of specific programmes to improve the external competitiveness of companies , such as the opening of IAPMEI delegations, the Portugal Marca Project and the Inov-Jovem and Inov-Contacto Programmes ;

(iv) the implementation of a specific programme to speed up the transition and restructuring of business ( AGIIRE Programme – Gabinete de Intervenção Integrada para a Reestruturação Empresarial – Integrated Intervention Office for Business Restructuring , by the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation and by the Ministry of Labour .

(v) the implementation of policies which lead to greater financial sustainability of the pension system , such as the new retirement system for civil servants (in force from 1st January 2006) ; the end of roughly 30 special retirement systems which will now come in line with the general system; the speeding up of the transition to the formula for calculating pensions in the general system , which foresees mechanisms of professional solidarity and considers all contributing years of work ( to be implemented as of 2006 ); it also promotes continuation in the workforce until a later age , with a view to bringing the actual retirement age closer to the legal retirement age (in this scope, norms allowing early retirement have already been suspended or revoked).

(vi) the reevaluation of administrative costs imposed by the legislation in force (“ Legislar Melhor ”- “Legislating Better” initiative) .

 

Meanwhile, given the ambitious strategy and the aims to be reached, there are sustained doubts about the lack of detail in the definition of some strategic priorities and in the description of some measures .

Due to this appraisal, a process will begin immediately to describe in detail and develop the measures and policies foreseen in PNACE, including information on how the many measures that have been or are being implemented are applied, as well as the data collected through the impact monitoring system and from the discussion of results with the economic and social agents and with the competent political institutions.

Lisbon , 25th January 2006

Office of the National Coordinator of the Lisbon Strategy and the Technological Plan

[28-10-2005]

During the event, which took place in the Centro Cultural de Belém, the Special Counsellor for the European Commission, Maria João Rodrigues, also made an intervention. The three of them agreed on the actuality of the 24 Lisbon Guidelines in order to boost innovation and competitiveness, increasing economic Growth and employment, as well as on the importance of the participation of the civil society in the implementation process of the PNACE 2005-2008.

[06-03-2006]

The agreement with the Sun Microsystems Portugal will allow teachers, researchers and students to use open source software (this initiative is foreseen in the Connect Portugal - Ligar Portugal – programme).

The cooperation with the UCM focuses mainly on the areas of security, the development of software and systems and information networks. This partnership will involve Aveiro University and the Telecommunications Institute and the potential participation of national and foreign companies and other Portuguese universities that are interested.

The signing of this protocol with UCM marks the beginning of a process to select activities and programmes which will be completed by mid 2006 when the bases for an institutional agreement will be defined.

 

[04-06-2007]

On 1 July 2007 Portugal takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. A preliminary version of the Portuguese Presidency website goes on line since 1 June.

The website, www.eu2007.pt, enables media representatives to consult the calendar of meetings and summits to be held during the six months of the Presidency. The site also has a section allowing media accreditation for access to meetings.

The provisional version of the website also gives information on the Portuguese Presidency logo, a complete section on media, and an area entitled ''Welcome to Portugal''. Users can register to receive the latest news.

The production version of the Portuguese Presidency website will go on line at 00h00 on 1 July 2007 at the same address: www.eu2007.pt.

 

 
 

[01-02-2007]

At the meeting, the possibility of increasing cooperation between the two countries was analysed, in particular in the maritime-port field. In this context, it was agreed to form a Work Group to study the best way of strengthening the relations between the Port administrations of the two countries so as to increase the use of Portuguese ports by Chinese enterprises and create conditions for the future forming of a logistic hub for the distribution of Chinese products in Europe. 

Source: Government Portal

[17-04-2007]

The German Government (the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, BMZ, and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, BMU) and KfW, in cooperation with the European Commission will organise a Ministerial conference on “Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency – Innovative policies and financing instruments for the EU’s southern and eastern neighbours”.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy are a thematic focus of Germany’s EU Presidency. The German Government therefore intends to contribute to the wider dissemination of information relevant to these topics in the EU’s eastern and southern neighbours and to raise awareness of the opportunities and benefits of improved use of renewable energies and energy efficiency among decision-makers.

Further information:

Info@energy-conference.org;

www.energy-conference.org

[04-07-2007]

The NSRF 2007-2013 was signed by the European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Danuta Hübner, and by the Minister for the Environment and Land Use Planning, Nunes Correia, at a ceremony in the old Custom’s Building in Porto jointly chaired by José Sócrates and Durão Barroso.

The signing of the NSRF was an integral part of the meeting marking the start of the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union which took place between the Portuguese Government, led by José Sócrates, and the European Commission.
 

Source: NSRF (QREN) Portal

[18-09-2007]

Holland has meanwhile announced that they are willing to sign in the near future. These signatures indicate the countries’ commitment to actively support the Europe wide rapid introduction of the pan-European in-vehicle emergency call system which could prevent 2500 deaths a year in road accidents. Following today’s signatures, 12 EU member states are pledged to introduce the eCall system. The protocol has already been signed by other non EU members such as Switzerland, Norway and Ireland.

 

[16-07-2007]

The brochure “One vision, One challenge” summarises what has been done in the last two years towards implementing the Lisbon Strategy in Portugal and presents examples of measures and results obtained.
“One vision and One challenge” shows that the Lisbon Agenda is a progress agenda which is only possible with the hard work of many people not only in the design and implementation of public policies but also through the initiatives of economic and social agents. It aims to contribute to greater and faster progress...

Some excerpts from the brochure are reproduced in annex:
«After two years, all the ambitious targets set for the National Action Programme for Growth and Employment (PNACE) 2005/2008 are within reach. The battle is not yet won and the turning point not yet consolidated, but the trends are positive and the Lisbon Strategy has gathered new pace in Portugal » (…)
«The Portuguese were able to take advantage of an opportunity for necessary reform, providing consistent and participated responses in conjunction with public and private efforts. Hence, July 2007 is a time to evaluate progress made but not to slacken our determination. The Lisbon Agenda is the agenda of the future.» (…)
«The great challenge of the new cycle of the Lisbon Agenda in Portugal and in Europe is to connect people to innovation.» (…) «This is no small challenge. The involvement of everybody in Portuguese society is however a guarantee that Portugal will again meet up to its responsibilities. Of people who dare to add new worlds to the world. That is where we are heading…»

 

[03-12-2007]

According to the Statistical Information of the Internet Access Service published today by ANACOM, the clients of mobile operators with mobile Broad Band Internet access and who accessed the service at least once since the service was launched reached 11.2 per 100 inhabitants in the 3rd quarter of 2007, totaling 1,182,555 clients.

This number of users is a 20.2% rise on the previous quarter and 37% in relation to the 1st quarter of 2007. In the same quarter, fixed Broad Band penetration in Portugal reached 14.8 per 100 inhabitants corresponding to a total of 1,566,924 clients.

According to the criteria used for this measurement, global access to Broad Band in Portugal reached 26%.

The Government has been working in partnership with the operators to promote the spread of mobile Broad Band in Portugal, as a complement to the pledge in fixed Broad Band, through measure such as the Iniciativa e.escola – e.school Initiative for students, teachers and adults in the re-training process.

 

Lisbon, 3December 2007
Cabinet of the National Coordinator of the Lisbon Strategy and the Technological Plan

[19-05-2008]

This is an essential matter for the Portuguese and European SMEs as they could reap considerable benefits if last year’s Council decision during the Portuguese presidency is complied with; the proposal was for an immediate reduction of the costs involved in the request, register and renewal of community brands. 



The community brands are the brands conceded by the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM) and which can be used in all European Union Member States. There was a 21.2% increase in the number of requests from Portuguese companies for community brands between 2006 and 2007.

Currently and due to the high price of the community brands, there is a surplus of more than 300 million euros which grows at the rate of 1 million euros a week. 


Given this «waste», the OHIM recognises that the price of the brand should be cut so as to benefit the community’s companies and citizens. 



Source: GCNELPT

[13-03-2008]

The preparation of this new cycle was given its first momentum during the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union. It will focus on boosting and pushing ahead with the implementation of the reforms underway nationally and of the Lisbon Community Programme; the current relevance of the 4 broad priorities of the Lisbon Strategy (investment in research and innovation; unlocking business potential; investing in qualification and in the modernisation of the labour market; climate change and energy); the endorsement of the 24 Integrated Guidelines with contextual updating.

Other key subjects in debate include the external dimension of the Lisbon Strategy and energy, as the fourth pillar of the Agenda.
The guidelines for the new cycle focus on an overall assessment of the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy in the last two years when 6.5 million new work posts were created, productivity increased for the first time in the last 10 years and unemployment is at the lowest level for 25 years. Despite the financial turbulence, Europe expects 2% growth in 2008. Essential reforms are underway in a number of Member States.

The circumstances are right for this New Cycle to be a Cycle of Results that can prepare a post 2010 Lisbon Strategy for a Europe with a more Integrated Vision of the future that articulates the social and environmental dimension, where people and their quality of life are at the heart of politics and the economy and which affirms itself as a fundamental partner in the globalising world.

[20-05-2008]

In Strasburg, the Presidents of the three European Union Institutions (Commission, European Parliament and Council) met to sign a Declaration formally launching the European Maritime Day that aims to raise awareness of the possibilities the Sea presents and of the Union’s new integrated policy.



This date is of special significance to Portugal as it was on 20th May 1498 that Vasco da Gama reached India. As a result, the day will be marked by a number of events in Portugal: a meeting of the Secretaries of State on board the frigate «Álvares Cabral»; the signing of an international protocol for the protection of waters and coasts against pollution as well as a seminar on «Portugal and the Sea».



First thing in the morning, at the invitation of the Secretary of State for National Defence and Sea Affairs, João Mira Gomes, the regular Meeting of Secretaries of State will take place on board the Portuguese Republic’s  ship «Álvares Cabral». At the end of the meeting, João Mira Gomes will take the opportunity for some of the initiatives underway in the ambit of Sea Affairs, notably with regard the equipment and materials used on beaches for lifeguards and to rescue ships in distress, and the creation of a new live centre at the Marine Museum composed of traditional boats that sail on the River Tagus, known as “Tagus Marina” .



In the afternoon, João Mira Gomes will represent Portugal at the signing of the additional Protocol regarding the Cooperation Agreement for the Protection of the North-East Atlantic Coasts and waters against Pollution. This agreement, also known as the Lisbon Agreement, signed in October 1990 by Portugal, Spain, France, Morocco and the European Union, was not ratified by all the States due to a dispute between Spain and Morocco about the limits of the application zone. 



This dispute is settled with the signing of the additional protocol between the various parties and, after ratification, will constitute a cooperation framework for Portugal for the protection of the Coasts and Waters against pollution similar to that of other countries on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coast.



Lastly, the Secretary of State for National Defence and Sea Affairs will close the conference «Portugal and the Sea», organized by the Parliamentary National Defence Committee.

[12-11-2007]

In the margins of the Council, Justice and Home Affairs Ministers met Employment Ministers met for a policy debate on migration, employment and the Lisbon Strategy. In the light of the debate, the Presidency concluded that:

- there is a close link between migration, employment and the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs. Well managed legal migration can continue to contribute to the realisation of the Lisbon Goals and should be aligned with skills shortages and labour market requirements;

- work should now be taken forward on the proposed Directives on the admission of third country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment and on the single application procedure and a common set of rights for legally residing third country workers;

- measures to promote integration are important, including in the area of skills and education and employment and social policies, as are the efforts of migrants themselves to integrate;

- combating illegal employment of third country nationals and undeclared work is equally important and dissuasive sanctions and effective enforcement can contribute to this. Work should therefore also be taken forward on the Directive on sanctions against employers of illegally staying third country nationals and on the follow-up to the Commission's Communication on undeclared work.

The new EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Mr. Gilles de Kerchove drew the Council's attention to five subjects: information sharing and special investigative methods; radicalisation and recruitment; financing of technical assistance to third countries; organisation of work within the Council; and implementation of EU instruments.

Source: www.eu2007.pt
 

[03-03-2008]

The Lisbon Council is holding its annual meeting in Brussels on 4th March on the subject “dealing with and managing risk” in the implementation of the Lisbon Agenda for growth and jobs.

The Lisbon Council is a network of European decision makers and its aim is to foster reflection on how to implement and further the Lisbon Strategy.

The 2008 meeting is included in the preparations for the Spring European Council to be held on 13th and 14th March when the new cycle of the Lisbon Agenda will be launched. It will be attended by the President of the European Commission, Durão Barroso, the Minister for the Coordination of the Slovenian Presidency of the European Council, Ziga Turk, the Chief Statistician of the OECD, Enrico Giovannini and the National Coordinator of the Lisbon Strategy and the Technological Plan, Carlos Zorrinho.

Source: CNCLSTP

[16-09-2008]

The event was held today in Budapest, the city where the Institute is located, with an inaugural ceremony in which the Hungarian Prime Minister, Ferenc Gyurcsány, the President of the European Commission, Durão Barroso, and the Commissioner of Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Ján Figel were present.

“It is with great pleasure that we are present on the day that the EIT formally begins its work,” Durão Barroso said in a statement. “By attracting and integrating the most talented students, researchers and participants from Europe and the world, the EIT will become an important asset in the field of research and innovation in the EU. It will serve as a source for new ideas and will contribute to the having these innovative ideas come to fruition. This represents a new stage in bringing about the fifth freedom – that of the free circulation of knowledge. The participation of business is crucial since the lack of investment by business in Research and Development explains, for example, the almost 85% gap that exists between the EU and the United States in this field. In the long-term, the EIT will aid in the promotion of research and development in Europe, will reduce the gap in investment on the part of companies and will play a role in attaining the goal set by the Member-States of 3% of GDP earmarked for R&D.”

In the opinion of the Hungarian Prime Minister, Ferenc Gyurcsany, “talent and knowledge” are ‘natural resources’ or ‘raw materials’ that exist in all European countries. With the help of the EIT, we will be able to use them more efficiently so that all citizens will be able to enjoy their benefits.”

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology is an important EU initiative which seeks to promote excellence in European innovation and to come up with new solutions for its main challenges, such as climate change, renewable energies and the new generation of information technology and communication (MEMO/08/153).

To reach these ambitions goals, the EIT has a totally independent Board of Directors of the highest level whose function it is to define the strategic path of the Institute and a select, follow up with and evaluate if operational base which is made up of “knowledge and innovation communities.” The 18-member Board of Directors of the EIT hail from the world of business, academics and research, and all have proven experience and the highest qualifications in the field of innovation. (IP/08/1220).

In its first session in Budapest, the Board of Directors will take a series of decisions on how the EIT will function, namely the election of its Chairperson and the four members of the Executive Committee. It will further analyze the measures necessary for the creation of the first two or three knowledge and innovation communities to be formed by 2010.

In addition to the Hungarian Prime Minister, Ferenc Gyurcsány, the President of the European Commission, Durão Barroso, and the Commissioner of Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Ján Figel, the session also featured the President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Jósef Pálinkás, the Minister for Research and Development, Károly Molnár, the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou the Minister of Higher Education and Research and representative of the French Presidency, Valérie Pécresse and the European Minister for Financial Affairs and the Customs Union, László Kovács.

Source: European Commission

 

[16-10-2007]

The European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL) was launched in November 2006, under the Finnish Presidency, with 19 founding Living Labs. This year, in an event held in preparation for the Portuguese Presidency, the ENoLL launched a call for membership applications, inviting existing or emerging Living Labs to join the network. After a rigorous evaluation process, 32 Living Labs were selected, which will be announced in next Wednesday’s event.

The concept of “Living Labs” is a new approach to research, development and innovation, engaging all stakeholders in the innovation process, including companies, citizens, researchers and public institutions. Through this engagement, open innovation is possible, resulting from the interaction between, for instance, the needs of consumers and the development of new technical possibilities. Small and medium enterprises are engaged in these communities, as well as large corporations, such as Nokia, IBM and SAP.

Carlos Zorrinho, the Portuguese National Coordinator of the Lisbon Strategy, considers this experience “an excellent example of how Europe can cope with the challenges of globalization, drawing on creativity, knowledge and innovation. This growth of the ENoLL from 19 to 51 members”, he adds, “is a remarkable demonstration of how lively European innovators can be.”

This event is organised by the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union, the European Network of Living Labs and the European Commission’s DG Information Society and Media.

Full programme available at:
http://www.ami-communities.eu/wiki/ENoLL_and_Open_Innovation_mid-October_events

[20-06-2007]

With 1700 more courses than 2006/07 and 2500 more than 2005/06, students in almost all secondary schools can now choose a vocational course. A further aim is that half of students choose vocational education, thereby complying with OECD recommendations because «no country can complete with the front runners in the global economy if only 30% of the population has 12 years of education ». The Prime Minister went on to say «These changes are very difficult» and «only produce long term results», but they are decisive to Portugal’s future.

José Sócrates, who was speaking in Torres Novas on 19 June, that the rise in the total number of students last year – inverting the trend of the previous 10 years – was due to many students going back to school to do these courses. He added that «the level of poor achievement and early school leaving is much lower» in these courses because the students know they will leave school with a professional certificate which «qualifies them for the labour market».

The Minister of Education, Maria de Lurdes Rodrigues, said that the increase in the number of courses is a «silent and peaceful revolution» in schools that are adapting «their training supply to the expectations of young people and their families». She added that another aim is for «no student to stay away [from education] for social and economic reasons» and therefore «social work in secondary schools» will be increased.
 

Source: Government Portal

 

[09-07-2007]

The Portuguese Prime Minister José Sócrates, on the other hand, reiterated his wish to quickly move «from the mandate to the Treaty.» I had the opportunity to explain our plan to the British Prime Minister. We want to open the Intergovernmental Summit this month and close it in October, if possible during the Informal Council of «Heads of State and Government which will take place in Lisbon, stressed José Sócrates.

The fight against terrorism and the need to work on a new cycle of the Lisbon Agenda, as well as the discussion on the climate change within the European Union were some of the issues addressed to during the meeting, which lasted around one hour, at the official residence of the British Prime Minister.

George Brown, also thanked, during the press conference, the efforts of the Portuguese authorities on the kidnapping of the British child in Praia da Luz, Algarve.

Summit EU - Africa

The need to maintain the dialogue between Europe and Africa was once again reaffirmed by the Prime Minister José Sócrates at the final press conference. Sócrates reminded that «during the last seven years Europe paid the price of not sharing a regular and institutionalized dialogue with Africa.»

His British counterpart Gordon Brown said a «diplomatic solution» is being sought, in order to overcome the existing difficulties between London and Harare.

 

[01-07-2007]

Prime Minister dialogues with youngsters from all the EU Member States. European Treaty is “the priority of the priorities”
"The Treaty will be a sign of confidence in Europe. A sign that it is stronger and growing ", told on Sunday morning the Prime Minister, José Sócrates, to 27 youngsters from each one of the Member States of the European Union.

In this opening and symbolical act of the Portuguese Presidency. José Sócrates, addressing to the youngsters who he called “Europe generation”, considered the negotiation and the closing of the Treaty as “the priority of the priorities” of the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union (EU), which will be held by Lisbon’s Government until the end of this year.

Informally dressed, with no tie and jeans, the Prime Minister, said at the joint dialogue that with the reformist Treaty, “less federalist”, that overcomes the unratified European Constitution, Europe “will be a bit better” and “will provide the European Union with better functioning tools”. He added “I’m not saying all the problems will be solved, but it will be certainly better”.

The Prime Minister, from now on the President of the European Council, stressed that amongst the innovation of the Treaty, based on the mandate received at the Brussels Summit by the end of the German Presidency, there is the reference to the fundamental rights. “For the first time, there is a reference to the European citizenship, an issue that all the youngsters are sensitive to, which allows any person to reivindicate his/her rights at the European courts”, said.

Another topic discussed were the climate change, a “struggle that Europe has to lead”. The future and the important contribution of the youngsters for education, knowledge and innovation, as well as the accession of Turkey to the EU, were not forgotten.

The youngsters at the meeting are mostly granters of scholarships within the Erasmus programme, allowing, from many years before, the exchange of students from Universities of several countries of the EU



Source: EU Portuguese Presidency website

 
 

 

[15-05-2007]

This Resolution Proposal, to be submitted for Assembly of the Republic approval, is for the creation of the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, to define its objectives, its structure, how it operates, financial arrangements, human resources system and determines that its head office will be located in Braga.

During the XXII Portugal Spain Summit in November 2006, the Prime Ministers of the Portuguese Republic and of Spain signed the International Treaty for the joint creation of the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory as an international, intergovernmental scientific body, with its head office in Portugal.

The creation of the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory is included in the State’s policy aims to foster and accelerate scientific and technological development as well as to boost the international attraction of scientists and high level technological capacities. 

The creation of this International Laboratory also opens a new era of scientific and technological cooperation between Portugal and Spain and in the joint effort of the two countries towards their progress on an international scale.

The Committee for the Setting up of the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory is already working and the premises will be built in Braga. The programme for the installation of this new laboratory has already allowed joint nanoscience and nanotechnology research projects to be launched between Spanish and Portuguese research centres.
 
Source: Government Portal

[29-03-2007]

Declaration on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the signature of the Treaties of Rome

«For centuries Europe has been an idea, holding out hope of peace and understanding. That has been fulfilled. European unification has made peace and prosperity possible. It has about a sense of community and overcome differences. Each Member State has helped Europe and to strengthen democracy and the rule of law. Thanks to the yearning for freedom the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe the unnatural division of Europe is now consigned the past. European integration shows that we have learnt the painful lessons of a history marked by bloody conflict. Today we live together as was never possible before.» (...)

To read the complete document go to:

http://ec.europa.eu/news/eu_explained/070326_1_en.htm

 

[09-03-2007]

Press Release from the Council of Ministers on 8th March 2007

2. The Council of Ministers Resolution which approves the Plan for Immigrant Integration.
This Resolution approves the Plan for Immigrant Integration (PII), which is a broad, comprehensive and far-reaching plan systematising the objectives and pledges of the Portuguese State on polices for receiving and integrating immigrants.

The Plan for Immigrant Integration results from the joint contributions of the different ministries resulting from the public discussion period. It is therefore a policy programme that aims to reach high levels of integration both from a sectorial perspective, namely in the areas of Labour, Housing, health and Education, and also from the transversal perspective in terms of the questions of racism and discrimination, gender equality and citizenship.

The PII is duly articulated with the areas controlling the migratory flows and aid for the development of the countries of origin. It defines a roadmap of concrete commitments for the next three years in the field of integration policies and endorses the State as the principle partner for immigrant integration. 

Within the scope of this new Plan, special mention should be made of the measures fostering the fight against early school leaving and school failure among the offspring of immigrants, improving vocational training targeted at immigrant communities, the pledge in intensifying Portuguese language teaching programmes, and the instruments to facilitate immigrant access to fully exercising their individual and social rights, notably in the fields of health, housing and justice.  

Although the PII measures are essentially concerned with the sphere of State intervention, they also provide a strong incentive to civil society to add value to this axis of intervention both in specific intervention and in partnership with the State.
The choice to participate and take joint responsibility for the immigrants is clearly visible in the conception, development and evaluation of immigration policies, considering the forming of immigrant associations as the first expression of immigrant participation.
The PII also aims to consolidate the existing initiatives, launch new initiatives as well as simplify the bureaucracy involved in the various processes.

As a means of ensuring the concerted action of all the ministries and the monitoring and evaluation of the proposed objectives, plans have also been made to set up a Network of Key Points for Monitoring which, under the coordination of the High Commissioner for Immigration and Ethnic Minorities, will present six monthly reports on the implementation of the measures set out in the PII to the Consultative Council for Immigration Affairs.

Source: Government Portal

[10-03-2007]

The compatibilisation plan is based in six main areas:

1.      Definition of the general organisation and management principles of the OMI to be implemented by October 2007 based on two holdings with shares and with head offices in Portugal and Spain; each of them will hold 50% of the companies managing the markets, headed by a common Board of Directors;

2.      Increased articulation between the System Operators through the exchange of participations between REN and REE and the acceleration of work to improve interconnections;

3.      Definition of common rules to increase competition in MIBEL and to reduce the power of the market both in relation to the introduction of a dominant Iberian operator concept with limited and harmonised restrictions between the two countries, and in terms of the holding of virtual capacity auctions for the entry of new commercialisers, and the termination of energy acquisition contracts;

4.      Incentives for liberalisation and the definition of a tariff convergence plan, through an articulated policy of last resort tariffs, the harmonisation and convergence of interruptibility mechanisms and access tariffs, the creation of a harmonised mechanism for the acquisition of energy form last resort commercialisers or distributors, and greater proximity and convergence in the actions of the logistic operators of change in commercialisers and a harmonised plan to substitute meters; 

5.      Implementation of a management mechanism of interconnections based on market splitting and specific auctions which optimise the use of interconnections and competition in the Iberian context;

6.      Harmonisation of the power guarantee mechanisms bearing in mind the specificities of each system to be implemented by July 2007.
Regarding the creation of MIBGAS (Iberian natural gas market), both Governments decided to set up a number of work groups to prepare for the creation and development of this market, given the significant weight of the Iberian Peninsula’s installed reception capacity of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the European and world context, and to analyse the possibility of creating a Iberian hub of international reference.
Hence, given these objectives and by October 2007:

•        CNE and ERSE should present a document identifying the operation and organisation principles of MIBGAS;
•        REN and ENAGAS should prepare an investment plan and strengthen interconnections and storage capacity of natural gas;
•        The General Directorates of both countries should draw up an agreement on the maintenance of natural gas reserves in Iberia.

Source: Ministry of Economy and Innovation

[01-01-2006]

The Lisbon Strategy, conceived in the framework of the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union in 2000 and re-launched in 2005, aims to develop and implement a series of policies which are committed to knowledge and innovation as a platform in a new social and economic standing; they will lead to the simultaneous increase in competitiveness, cohesion and environmental sustainability in Europe.

In response to the Lisbon challenges, the Portuguese Government has pledged in innovation and the qualification of people, companies, institutions and territories. This response is set out in the National Action Programme for Growth and Jobs 2005-2008 (PNACE 2005-2008) which was drawn up in direct articulation with the Technological Plan; the PNACE 2005-2008 is included in this as its pillar for growth and competitiveness.

The Technological Plan is a qualification programme of the Portuguese society as a whole. It defines a strategy based on three lines of action – knowledge, technology and innovation – complemented by measures of transversal action in institutions and the business environment, in networks and partnerships and in financing systems which favour the creation of value and the change in the competitive profile of the Portuguese economy.

This is a new economic, social and political agenda for Portugal and for the Portuguese which played a crucial role in the conception of the government's programme and which has had a significant influence on the priorities and decisions of this cycle of governance.

However, the Technological Plan is more than a Government programme; in fact, it is a new philosophy of action which implies the mobilisation of various agents including the Government, territories, institutions, companies and citizens. The Technological Plan is an evolving and dynamic action plan which conjugates coherent public policies, a clear strategy of reference and an appropriate use of available resources; it intends to be an engine of change to position Portugal on the front line for designing a better future.

On the basis that it is indispensable to implement the measures of the Technological Plan in order to reach the Lisbon targets, it was decided that the National Coordinator of the Lisbon Strategy would also be the coordinator of the Technological Plan. As a result, for reasons of coherence and efficiency, the sites of the CNEL and the Technological Plan were merged into a single website (accessible at www.cnel.gov.pt and also at www.planotecnologico.pt); this website contains documents common to both the Lisbon Strategy and the Technological Plan and the specific contents related to each of these agendas.

During the transition period when the coordination of the Technological Plan depended directly on the Prime Minister, the site was not updated for operational reasons. We regret that this happened and we are now working to change the website into a participative instrument of communication and information.

[24-01-2007]

The joint Programme for the three presidencies (18 months) was presented to the European Parliament in Strasburg by the Heads of State of Germany, Portugal and Slovenia

Source: Government Portal

[23-05-2008]

Reflection on the post 2010 Lisbon Strategy will also begin at this meeting and some good practices shared relating to the application of the Lisbon Strategy in the fostering of new skills and valorising talent. 



The Portuguese “e.school” initiative was one of the four best practices selected for presentation.



Portugal will be represented at this meeting by the National Coordinator of the Lisbon Strategy, Carlos Zorrinho and by the Deputy National Coordinator, Arminda Neves. 



Source: GCNELPT