[FR] Portugal 2000: the European way

At the dawn of the 21st century, Portugal has been given the task of taking over the presidency of the European Union at a time when the Union is questioning its future: how can it expand without losing its identity, how can its institutions be reformed to enable a political structure that is about to double in size to function effectively without losing sight of the common project that was launched half a century ago?

It is highly significant that it is a ‘small country’, which joined the Union during the third wave of accessions, that finds itself facing this responsibility at a crucial time for the future of European integration. Otherwise, the stereotypes end there, in the sense that Portugal has a profoundly original approach to Europe. It may be a ‘small country’, but it wants to be at the heart of the common project; it may be a ‘Mediterranean country’, but historically it has always looked out to the open ocean; it may be a ‘country of cohesion’, but it wants to be at the forefront of the search for a new social model in keeping with the European spirit.

Beyond the presentations of the new presidency, its players and its programme, it seemed interesting to Notre Europe to try to provide some keys to understanding the vision of Europe that characterises a country where this debate takes profoundly original forms. Álvaro de VASCONCELOS, Director of the Institute for Strategic and International Studies (IEE) in Lisbon, has agreed to try to accompany all those who seek to look beyond appearances. I am particularly pleased to thank him for this contribution and to present it to the correspondents of Notre Europe.