PORTUGUESE

EUROPEAN

CONSTRUCTION

SUMMARY

Main Events

Before the EU

After the EU

PORTUGUESE EUROPEAN CONSTRUCTION

A SENSE OF BELONGING

The Portuguese and the EU

The Portuguese and Portugal’s accession

MAIN EVENTS …

28 March 1977 – Portugal formally applied for accession to the EEC.

17 October 1978 – Beginning of the negotiations to prepare Portugal’s accession;

12 June 1985 –Official signing of the Treaty of Accession to the EEC, in Lisbon.

1 January 1986 – Portugal formally became a member of the Communities.

1 January 1992 – Portugal’ first EEC presidency

January 1993 – Accession to the Single Market

1 January 2000 – Portugal’s second EEC presidency

1 January 2002 – The Euro currency entered circulation in the European markets

1 July 2007 – Portugal’s third EEC presidency

23 and 24 March 2000 - European Council defines “Lisbon’s Strategy”

December 2007 – The Treaty of Lisbon was signed by the EU member states

MAIN EVENTS …

Portugal’s accession to the EU

25 April 1974 – The end of the dictatorial regime “Estado Novo”, that lasted for 40 years

Significant changes in Portugal: - Economic; - Social; - Political.

BEFORE the EU…

Economic

Serious economic problems: Low economic growth; More unemployment; Low wages; Falling purchasing

power; Inflation rise.

effects of decolonisation and the colonial war; loss of traditional markets; disorganisation of the production and financial systems; the traditional foreign trade deficit; global crisis (1973).

Political

Great political instability: provisional governments came and went.

Social

Colonials come back from the Colonies increasing social problems; Bad living conditions – poorer healthcare, education, social security, justice, etc.

In this context the ECs become an option

Portugal’s accession to the European Communities then became a government-set target

To avoid the country’s isolation

To get external support to

consolidate the democratic regime

To get financial aid to improve the

economy and implement the

necessary reforms

“… a fundamental option for a future of progress and modernity”

Mário Soares, Portuguese Prime Minister in 1977

Portugal’s accession to the EU

Extremely important consequences

Economic Political Social

Significant economic development;

Modernisation in the manufacturing sector;

Internationalisation of the Portuguese economy;

Higher purchasing power;Inflation reduction.

Consolidation of the Portuguese democracy.

Better quality of life; Better infrastructures and equipments;

Better social benefits; Higher levels of education and professional qualifications.

AFTER the EU…

1986 and nowadays

Structure of the Active Population

Agriculture, Farming and Fisheries – 22%Manufacturing sector – 34%Service sector – 44%

Average life expectancy

Education rates in high schools

Inflation Rate

Men – 70,3 yearsWomen –77,1 years

Men – 75,8 yearsWomen – 81,8 years

59,3%17,8%

11,7% -0,2%

Migration Balance - 26 949 individuals 9 361 individuals

Agriculture, Farming and Fisheries – 12%

Manufacturing sector – 29%

Service sector – 59%

A SENSE OF A SENSE OF BELONGINGBELONGING

The Portuguese and the EU

The Portuguese and Portugal’s accession

The long process which began in 1986 is still in progress and has had

a crucial impact on the way we live, both as Portuguese and

European citizens.