The Portuguese presidency of the European Union, these will be primary agenda jobs

Shortly before Christmas, Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa, and Portugal's Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva must have breathed a sigh of relief: Prior to the EU presidency's beginning in January, EU budget and the BERXIT agreement were passed to Brussels, reports Deutsche Welle.

So the small country in Europe's westernst corner could focus on what was planned next year to better cope with the crisis and make Europe greener, more digital and social. In addition, the EU's role in the world political arena is required to strengthen.

“We hope to start quickly with both the activation of the new budget and the aid in the Corona pandemic”, Foreign Minister Santos Silva said.

Not without personal interest. Portugal urgently needs its share in the 750 billion-euro aid package, as do other countries. About 26 billion for limiting pandemic damage and recovery will have to go to Portugal.

The funds, which the socialist minority government in Portugal desperately needs to continue the social democrat course of social improvements.

In Portugal, Pandemia COVID-19 has caused about 9 per cent unemployment, state debts have increased to 131 per cent of Brto's domestic production, tourism has been blocked, an important branch of the economy with only 14 per cent of GDP for 2019.

It is important for Portugal to create a positive image during its presidency.

“Like all small EU countries, Portugal will use the presidency's six-month best to present itself and draw attention to the country”, Stoliologist Mónica Dias of the Catholic University in Lisbon says.

The chances for this are not so bad, after all, small EU countries have to compensate for the small political burden with many diplomacy in the talks.

According to Dias, adapted to the Portuguese political tradition of seeking and finding compromises, this could turn to advantage for another milestone in the country's presidency.

The deepening of social and solid Europe.

“Without a more social Europe, it won't be possible for a more ecological Europe and to move forward with digitalisation”It's Dia.

Here another highlight should be mentioned in foreign policy, planned during the Portuguese presidency ʹa summit with India.

“To create a geopolitical balance, it is important that we expand political and economic ties with India. We shouldn't let out the world's greatest democracy”, The Portuguese Foreign Minister says.

This is important for the EU to create new markets”, points out Dias.

Whether the planned May 8th summit in Lisbon will be a virtual or presence date is not yet known due to the pandemic.

Of course, Portugal has good chances for a successful summit: this country has been until the 1960s colonial power in India's federal state, Goa.

Relations between the two countries are excellent, Portuguese Prime Minister Costa, whose family comes from Goa, has also been given the understate of India's honour