On 1 July 2007, Portugal takes over the rotating presidency from Germany for a period of six months. 

This is the third time that Portugal holds the Presidency: it did so before in 1992 and in 2000.

In 1992 the ratification and entry into force of the Treaty on European Union, and in 2000 the European Agenda for Economic and Social Development (the “Lisbon Strategy”), formed a legacy showing the importance the Portuguese presidencies attached to the future of the EU.

The Presidency Logo

The Portugal 2007 logo reveals a Portuguese view of the visual representation of the Presidency of the European Union.

The “Blue flower” is a symbol of today’s Portugal: modernity, harmony, the oceans, transparency and openness to the future.

The petals are arranged freely but concentrically, symbolising the individual contribution of each Member State to the joint endeavour of building Europe.

The possibility of the symbol adopting the colours of each national flag confers on the Portuguese presidency a constructive image of openness and cooperation with every Member State of the European Union.

Portugal: 20 years in the EU

In 2006, Portugal celebrated the 20th anniversary of accession to the European Union.  Two decades on – after a negotiation process that itself lasted almost ten years with progress, setbacks and uncertainties – the balance of integration into Europe has been extremely positive.

Comparative data for the EU and Portugal over the past twenty years show a clear correlation between the mean development for the Community and Portugal’s own development.

Visit the Presidency website at: http://www.eu2007.pt/UE/aEN/ or by clicking on the “quick link” in the upper-left corner.