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Meeting of the Council of State

President of the Republic held meeting of the Council of State

The President of the Republic presided at the meeting of the Council of State. The agenda for the meeting was the topic “Portugal in the context of the Euro Zone crisis”

At the end of the meeting the following communiqué was published:

1. The President of the Republic held a meeting of the Council of State, today, in the terms of article No. 145, item e), of the Constitution, in order to discuss the topic Portugal in the context of the Euro Zone crisis.

2. In this meeting of the Council of State, at which all its members were present, this consultative body of the President of the Republic analysed the situation of uncertainty in the Economic and Monetary Union, specifically as a result of the systemic crisis in sovereign debts and its reflection on the economic, financial, social and political realities of the Country.

3. Portugal, within the framework of the Programme of Financial Aid with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, assumed demanding commitments, both in the sense of repairing its public finances and creating conditions for the payment of its debts, and in that of reforming the structure of its economy, in order that it would achieve strong growth, create employment and reduce external dependency.
The political consensus surrounding that Programme was the guarantee that Portugal would honour its commitment and was shown to be an important international advantage.

4. The Councillors of State agreed that, in the current environment, the safeguard of the higher national interest lies in the compliance with the demanding targets subscribed by the Portuguese State.

5. At the moment when discussions are being held in Parliament for the approval of the State Budget for 2012, the Council of State appeals to all the political and social powers to ensure a spirit of constructive dialogue capable of bringing about the agreements that better serve the interests of the Country, whether financial stabilization and economic growth, whether creation of employment and the preservation of social cohesion.

6. The Council of State equally manifested its confidence that Portugal will be able to cope with the challenges it is facing and that it will have an active voice in the defence of the single currency and in the strengthening of the principles of cohesion and solidarity that for several decades have been the pillars of European construction.

7. The President of the Republic and the Councillors of State also agreed that a message of hope should be passed on to their fellow countrymen, in the certainty that Portugal will know how to overcome the obstacles it is now facing, it being essential that the Portuguese join efforts and wills and present an active stance of cooperation and solidarity.