New ambassador to the EU wants to keep Portugal’s voice “influential” in decisions
In an interview with Lusa on the day he took up his duties as leader of Portugal’s representation (REPER) to the EU as a permanent representative to the EU, Lourtie says he wants “from the outset the outstanding work” of his predecessor, Ambassador Nuno Brito, from the its “predecessors in general, and the remarkable work that REPER has done”.
It means that our contribution is in line with European decisions, so that Portugal continues not to be at the center of European decisions, continues to be whatever is convenient in the decision-making process, so that Portugal continues to have a voice heard and in the decision process, because this way of determination to determine the logo better also better the construction of the European and influential interest, the better the construction of the European interest”,
The diplomat and former Secretary of State for European Affairs observes that “Portugal is a country, since its accession, which has been deeply Europeanist, which has always been at the heart of the European integration process, but for this to be effective, having an effective voice, a voice that is heard, that is respected, that’s what happens today”.
“Therefore, our contribution here is for Portugal’s ability to influence the European decision-making process”, he assumes, adding that the new position represents “a great challenge”, for which he is “extremely motivated”, stressing that “the European policy is absolutely central to the governance of the various member states”.
The ambassador notes that European policy is “a level of European governance”, as “it is not entirely foreign policy and it is not political itself either”.
“It uses a lot of foreign policy instruments, diplomatic from the start, but it also has a very significant impact on internal areas. .
“Therefore, being able to head REPER, at a time that is so challenging for the world and for Europe in particular […] and for someone like me who has actually played a good part, not to say most of his career, in the European area, it is a challenge that motivates me immensely and for which I will give notably my best. And I hope the results can match,” he says.
After five and a half years in the role of deputy permanent representative, during which they represent Portugal on the committee of permanent representatives that deal with the sectoral policies of the Council of the EU (such as Competitiveness, Education, Employment, Environment, Transport, Telecommunications and Energy ) ) — COREPER I -, Lourtie, upon becoming head of REPER, also starts to lead the diplomatic corps at COREPER II meetings, which deals with foreign policy, economic and financial affairs, Justice and Home affairs, but already has to be at “cruising speed” very soon, relying on the well-oiled machine from the Portuguese REPER.
“REPER has a very competent team in all areas, which gives its best every day. [as do COREPER II] which are also not unknown to me. I won’t hide that I won’t have to make an additional effort now to dedicate myself more to these areas, but I hope in a few days I’ll be at cruising speed”, she says.
Coming into office at the same time as the XXIII Constitutional Government, unlike which the Prime Minister, António Costa, has under his direct responsibility the mass of European Affairs, Ambassador Pedro Lourtie refuses to “comment on the structure of the Government”, Data this is not their European role, the Member States note that a little by all the members “adaptation” to the greater turn of the policy.
“If we look at all European countries, there is one fact that is relatively common: they all recognize European politics as their own level of governance. […] and it is natural that governments adapt their structures to this level”, he points out.
The start of Pedro Lourtie’s duties also coincides with the context of the war’s return to Europe, which, he admits, “obviously focuses his attention” on Brussels, “because he immediately focuses attention, and focuses a good part of the work he has been done, namely in the committee of permanent representatives”, which does not invalidate the areas that continue work in the legislative files of all the others.
The Council like various EU institutions today exercises a wide range of skills and therefore others will continue to advance thereafter, and this is how it should be, regardless of political attention since it is obviously more devoted to the war in Ukraine, which is a crisis as Europe did not experience World War II”, he says.