Portugal took over the European Union presidency from Germany with the pledge to work for the successful conclusion of negotiations over the new EU treaty.

At the end of the EU summit on 21 and 22 June, Portuguese prime minister JosГ© SГіcrates announced that the Portuguese presidency would aim for negotiations to start on 23 July. Over several months, this "intergovernmental conference" would see representatives from the EU's member countries drawing up the future EU treaty.

Other priorities include preparing the next round of the EU's growth and jobs strategy, which the Portuguese would like to focus more on innovation; immigration, legitimate and otherwise, and whether more EU countries should join the Schengen area.

Internationally, the Portuguese will concentrate on relations with Brazil, Africa and the Mediterranean.

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