“I not only received it, but I have already answered. A reply by mail, in fact expressing full agreement with their position, because this is a very serious violation of the fundamental values of the framework of the European Union, ”said Antonio Costa in Brussels, where he participates in the last European Council of Portugal in the semester, to take stock of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council European Union in front of its colleagues.
Thus, Costa reacted to the publication letter signed by 16 European leaders – including, but not limited to, Pedro Sánchez, Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel and Mario Draghi – in defense of LGBTQI rights and against the recently adopted law. Hungary bans the “propaganda” of homosexuality among persons under the age of 18.
The letter was addressed not only to the Prime Minister of Portugal, but also to the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
This position follows from another letter published on Tuesday by 13 member countries, in which called on the European Commission “Use all the tools at his disposal to ensure full respect for European law”, which, contrary to Hungarian law, is considered “discriminatory towards LGBTQI”.
This letter was not signed by Portugal, which referred to the duty of neutrality as the country assuming the presidency of the Council of the European Union, an idea that Antonio Costa today supported.
Despite the fact that he defends that “he has a clear and not neutral position”, that is, “a clear rejection of any discriminatory practice” – even by approving during his presidency “a law to eliminate and combat discriminatory practices, namely homophobic practices” – said the Prime Minister of Portugal. that the function of the chairmanship is “to promote agreement, consensus and collaboration among Member States”.
“When disagreements arise between member states, traditionally it is not worth taking sides with one of the parties – another thing is the position of Portugal, which is unequivocal,” said Antonio Costa.
The prime minister, however, was somewhat confused in his response, stating that “if the presidency were different, I would certainly sign this letter,” without specifying whether he was talking about a letter signed by 13 member countries if 16 European leaders. As for Monday, he said, moreover, that there was no point in subscribing to the letter addressed to him.
Costa also defended Portugal’s role in imposing sanctions against Hungary, stating that both the country and Poland “have long been the subject of two processes based on Article 7 of the Treaty. [da União Europeia]”and what if” the procedure was frozen for a long time, it was unfrozen by the Portuguese presidency “, since last week there were two hearings in two countries.
“Anyone who violates the fundamental values of the European Union should be punished for this,” the prime minister stressed.
The secretary of state for European affairs said on Tuesday that Portugal did not sign the 13-member letter on LGBTQI rights in Hungary due to its “duty to remain neutral” during its current presidency of the EU Council.
Later that day, Ana Paula Zacarias said that “the colors of the rainbow unite diversity” after Hungary criticized the Munich municipality for wanting to light up its stadium during the European Championship with colors associated with the LGBTQI community.
The new Hungarian law “introduces a ban on“ the presentation and promotion of gender identity other than sex at birth, gender reassignment and homosexuality ”among persons under 18 years of age,” signatory countries indicate, condemning “an egregious form of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and self-expression “.
Today’s letter was published this Wednesday following the posting of Ursula von der Leyen. classified Hungarian law as a “shame”, promising to use “all powers of the Commission to ensure the guarantees of the rights of all EU citizens, whoever and wherever they live.”
In a note sent to Lusa on Wednesday, a Foreign Ministry source said that given the request signed by the JSD MPs, questioning the government’s intention to sign a July 1 declaration condemning Hungary’s restrictions on sexual rights, the answer is “Of course yes.” …
“Since the Portuguese presidency of the Council of the European Union ends on June 30, should it be assumed that the next day, July 1, 2021, Portugal will sign the above-mentioned declaration?” They asked in a submitted statement. today in Parliament and addressed the Minister of Foreign Affairs Augusto Santos Silva.
