European Heads of State gathered at Super Bock Arena – Pavilhão Rosa Mota this morning

The European Council informal meeting, held in the framework of the European Union Social Summit, took place this morning at the Super Bock Arena – Pavilhão Rosa Mota. The Mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira joined Portuguese Prime Minister in the Gardens of the Palácio de Cristal, to welcome the 24 Heads of State that arrived in Porto for the European meeting. Rui Moreira visited the premises and witnessed the settled structure to the event.

Each Head of State arrived at the Gardens of Palácio de Cristal, at the Super Bock Arena – Pavilhão Rosa Mota, the venue of the second and last day of the Porto Social Summit: the French President, Emmanuel Macron, the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, the Italian Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister of Finland, Sanna Marin, as well as the leaders of the three European institutions, Ursula Von der Leyen, Charles Michel and David Sassoli, President of the European Commission, President of the European Council and President of the European Parliament, respectively, who received the Keys of the city of Porto at Porto City Hall, during a formal sitting chaired by Rui Moreira, on 7 May.

Out of the 27 heads of State, only the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rute, and the Prime Minister of Malta, Robert Abela could not attend the meeting in-person.

This Saturday morning, the European Council focused on the topic of inclusive recovery, by “putting education and competencies at the core of the EU political action”, as highlighted by the institution in its official website.

During the afternoon, the agenda included the holding of the EU-India Summit, which relied on the participation by videoconference of the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who could not visit to Porto due to the worsening of the pandemic in his country.

All governing authorities deemed this meeting “a profound moment of geopolitical relevance”, with the main goal of strengthening the dialogue and promoting commercial bonds.

On Friday, the European Leaders had approved “a historic commitment”, at Porto Customs Building, which will work as a compass to guide the development of the European pillar of Social Rights, with ambitious goals until 2030: at least 78% of the population employed; 60% of the workers receiving training on annual basis; and less than 15 million people (of which five million children) at risk of poverty and social exclusion.

The Porto Social Summit is organised in the scope of the third Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union.