Informal meeting of heads of state or government, 7-8 May 2021

Summary:

An informal summit of heads of state or government of the European Union (EU) was held on 7-8 May 2021. It focused on the outcome of the Porto Social Summit, on the response to COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and international relations. Leaders adopted the Porto Declaration on Social Issues.

Further information:

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, EU leaders focused on the production and distribution of vaccines, the proposed Digital Green Certificate and the international solidarity. In terms of international relations, leaders prepares for the bilateral EU-India leaders' meeting taking place on 8 May.

The meeting followed up to great extent on the discussions held during the Porto Social Summit on 7 May. Leaders discussed the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) at EU and national level, as established in the European Council's Strategic Agenda for 2019-2024. The Action Plan published by the European Commission provides guidance to achieving that objective and tangible targets.

Official

General Secretariat of the Council: Background Brief for Informal meeting of EU leaders 7-8 May 2021 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/49472/final-background-brief-informal-euco-port.pdf

European Council: Invitation letter by President Charles Michel to the members of the European Council ahead of their informal meeting in Porto on 7-8 May 2021 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/05/05/invitation-letter-by-president-charles-michel-to-the-members-of-the-european-council-ahead-of-their-informal-meeting-in-porto-on-7-8-may-2021/

European Council: Remarks by President Charles Michel before the working session of the informal meeting of the members of the European Council in Porto (8 May 2021) https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/05/08/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-before-the-working-session-of-the-informal-meeting-of-the-members-of-the-european-council-in-porto/

European Council: Remarks by President Charles Michel after the informal meeting of the members of the European Council and the EU-India Leaders' meeting in Porto (8 May 2021) https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/05/08/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-after-the-informal-meeting-of-the-members-of-the-european-council-and-the-eu-india-leaders-meeting-in-porto/

European Council: Press Release, 08/05/2021: The Porto declaration https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/05/08/the-porto-declaration/

European Commission: Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel and Prime Minister Costa following the informal meeting of EU Leaders and the EU-India leaders' meeting (8 May 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_21_2361

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News

France24, 07/05/2021: EU leaders to discuss social issues, Covid-19 vaccine patents at Porto summit https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210507-eu-leaders-to-discuss-social-issues-covid-19-vaccine-patents-at-porto-summit

Euronews, 07/05/2021: EU leaders urge US to end COVID-19 vaccine export limits amid patents controversy https://www.euronews.com/2021/05/07/european-leaders-urge-u-s-britain-to-match-eu-generosity-on-vaccine-exports

Euronews, 07/05/2021: EU leaders to push for social safeguards in two-day summit in Porto https://www.euronews.com/2021/05/07/eu-leaders-to-focus-on-job-creation-poverty-and-inequality-in-two-day-summit-in-porto

Politico, 08/05/2021: EU pushes back on Biden plan to waive coronavirus vaccine patents https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-pushes-back-on-biden-plan-to-waive-patents-as-contest-escalates-in-global-vaccine-diplomacy/

TASS, 08/05/2021: EU summit to consider Russia policy on May 25, Macron says https://tass.com/world/1287579

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