” “"Respect for human dignity and the rights of people; freedom, democracy, equality and a constitutional state. A sympathetic Union of peers, based on the will of its citizens". Today, in Brussels, Manuel Lobo Antunes, deputy secretary general for European Affairs in the Lisbon Government, had to submit the agenda of the Portuguese presidency of the EU. After an introduction about values, Lobo Antunes, in agreement with the Prime Minister, José Sòcrates, went over the four sections of the report (the future of the EU; the Lisbon Strategy; the strengthening of the space of freedom, security and justice; Europe and the world), in front of his counterparts from the other 26 members and the international press. The subjects include the IGC and the revival of the Lisbon Strategy ("its new cycle will start in 2008"), which in turn includes an economic dimension (public finance, domestic market, industrial policy, innovation), a "social and employment" dimension, and an environmental and energy dimension. According to the Portuguese delegate, "social inclusion, the fight against poverty, especially the poverty that affects children, the balance between work, family and private life, are the priorities of the Portuguese presidency". (continued)” “
