” “"The reform of the treaties; an agenda aimed at modernising the European economies and societies; the strengthening of the EU across the world": José Sòcrates, the Portuguese Prime Minister, lists the three priorities of the six-month presidency of the EU, that on July 1st will be taken over by Lisbon. The new political leader of the Community inherits from the German chair the management of the Intergovernmental Conference: "I decided to convene the IGC on July 23rd explains Sòcrates -. It will open during the Conference of the Foreign Ministers". "Our goal is clear: not to lose the dynamics of the agreement reached in Brussels and have a new Treaty adopted as soon as possible for the European Union". The agenda of the presidency covers dozens of meetings at different levels: official summits, meetings of ministers responsible for different EU policies, meetings with the public and society. The concert for the celebration of the Portuguese presidency will be held at the House of Music, in Porto, on July 1st; on the following day, the Lisbon government will meet the EU Commission in the same city. July 4th will see the first EU-Brazil summit, an unprecedented event for the EU that the Portuguese chair wanted to hold because of the historical bonds with the South-American country and its importance as one of the most competitive economies.” “
