Portugal takes over the EU presidency

António Vitorino, a writer for the Portuguese daily, hopes that when Portugal takes its turn as President of the EU, it will protect the consensus obtained in Brussels. "After long hours of negotiations, the European Council approved the mandate necessary to hold an Intergovernmental Conference for the reform of the European treaties. This mandate is a good omen for the [future] Portuguese President of the Union who assumes its post this Sunday. ... The 27 member EU needs this reform so that it can improve its decision-making ability and reinforce its transparency and democratic responsibility. ... The mandate is thus a precious charge for the Portuguese presidency, but it's not yet a treaty. We must therefore hope that this good start is followed by a positive conclusion at the end of the semester ... that corresponds to the preoccupations and aspirations of Europeans, independent of the way each country chooses to approve and ratify the future treaty of the Union!"

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