About: Antonio Costa
Portugal reaches agreement with Spain, France to welcome Aquarius migrants
The Portuguese government said on Tuesday (25 September) it had reached an agreement with Spain and France to welcome some of the migrants on board the last private rescue ship in the Mediterranean, after Italy refused to let the vessel dock.
France, Spain, Portugal up energy links
France, Spain and Portugal agreed on 27 July to build an undersea power line in the Bay of Biscay as they up electricity links aimed at helping the Iberian peninsula out of its energy isolation.
Energy, EU reform on the agenda as Macron heads to Spain and Portugal
France's Emmanuel Macron makes his first visit as president to Spain and Portugal, starting Thursday, in his push to overhaul the EU, with the two southern allies seeking French help to connect their energy grids to Europe.
Portuguese PM: eurozone needs fiscal leg for stability, growth
The eurozone will never reach its full potential and may face a new crisis in the future without a fiscal capacity, Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa told the European Parliament on Wednesday (14 March).
Inspired by Europe’s comeback, EU leaders promise to ‘deliver’
The World Economic Forum missed European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Thursday (24 January), but presidents, prime ministers, and ministers from all EU countries were there to send the message that Europe is back.
11 member states smash 2020 renewables targets early
Eleven EU countries have already met their 2020 renewable energy goals ahead of schedule while the bloc as a whole has reached 17%, just shy of the overall target with two years to go, according to new data from Eurostat.
France, Portugal and Spain to attend mini energy summit
Portugal will organise early next year a summit dedicated solely to energy interconnectors, as lawmakers work to end the Iberian peninsula’s energy market isolation.
Tropical storm hits Europe, fuels wildfires in Portugal and Spain, batters Ireland
Tropical storm Ophelia killed at least 36 people in wildfires raging through Portugal and another three in Spain on Sunday and Monday (15 and 16 October). Three people died in Ireland as the storm battered the island’s southern coast, knocking down trees and power lines and whipping up 10-metre waves.
Dijsselbloem clings onto Eurogroup job
President of the Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem said today (7 April) he does not intend to resign before his mandate ends in January. He insisted that none of his EU counterparts had called for his resignation.
Portugal raises wages and keeps deficit low
While the European left is largely struggling where it holds power, Portugal's government alliance stands out as a remarkable exception. It is raising wages and gaining popularity as well as delivering the lowest budget deficit in living memory.
Indignation grows over Eurogroup chief’s ‘drinks and women’ remarks
Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem on Wednesday (22 March) expressed "regret" over his comments that southern European countries blew their money on "drinks and women" but rejected calls to resign, despite a growing chorus of indignation.
Vestager: Dijsselbloem’s comments are ‘wrong’
Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager skipped the European Commission's "no comment on comments" policy to criticise Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem's remarks about southern member states.
French PM visits Athens to offer support on bailout talks
French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, accompanied by Finance Minister Michel Sapin and Secretary of State for European Affairs Harlem Desir, will visit Greece today (3 March), aiming to offer political backing for the crucial bailout talks of the indebted country.
Mixed bag of results for member state budgets from Commission
The European Commission said today (17 January) that Spain's budget for this year is "broadly" in line with EU targets and Portugal claimed that it met its 2016 goals. However, there were less positive signs from Italy and Lithuania.
Portugal, EU pay last respects to ex-leader Soares
Portugal on Sunday (8 January) prepared to pay its final respects to Mário Soares, widely seen as the father of the country's modern-day democracy, after the former president died in hospital, at the age of 92.
Socialists declare end to EU institution grand coalition
The European Parliament grand coalition between the right-wing European People’s Party (EPP) and the Socialist and Democrats (S&D group) is over and cannot be re-established, said its chief, Gianni Pittella, today (13 December) during a news conference in Strasbourg.
Portugal’s Left Bloc says budget talks smooth, sees deal
Portugal's budget negotiations between the minority Socialist government and its left-wing backers in parliament are heading towards a deal that would involve providing more income to pensioners, the leader of the Left Bloc said on Tuesday (13 September).
Southern EU countries in push for anti-austerity alliance
The Greek government has invited the leaders of five southern EU countries, including France, Italy and Spain, to Athens in a bid to forge an anti-austerity alliance.
Hollande to embark on tour to reinforce EU-27 ties
French President François Hollande will shortly be embarking on a European tour in a bid to reinforce ties between European Union member states following Britain’s referendum to leave the body.
Portugal adopts anti-austerity budget despite concerns
Portugal's Socialist-led lawmakers on Tuesday (22 February) approved a 2016 budget that pledges to reverse unpopular austerity measures but is seen as high-risk by critics and investors, with Lisbon under EU pressure to stay on a disciplined path.
Portugal wants more refugees to help revive dwindling population
Traditionally a country of emigration, Portugal has offered to take up to 10,000 migrants from countries struggling to cope with the influx, to help maintain its own population.
Portugal bows to EU pressure to lower budget deficit
Portugal has agreed to lower its 2016 budget deficit and growth forecasts following pressure from the European Commission, a government official told AFP Wednesday (3 February).
Portugal marks three decades of EU membership
Portugal is celebrating 30 years of membership of the European Union, with its government hailing it as the most prosperous period in its history.