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CC 398 2021
Blister pack
Proof
Proof blister
Portugal · Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Mintage4,997
Issue price€17.22
Issue date4 Jan 2021
PackagingBlister pack
Edge lettering5 Wappenschilde + 7 castles, evenly distributed
Price of the set (2 coins)€25.00
Issue occasion
The occasion is Portugal’s presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2021. The design depicts the connection between Lisbon and the other European capitals, forming a stylized map, along with the inscription “PRESIDÊNCIA DO CONSELHO DA UNIÃO EUROPEIA PORTUGAL 2021”.
The design
The coin’s design depicts the connection between Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, and the other European capitals, forming, in a sense, a map bearing the inscription: “PRESIDÊNCIA DO CONSELHO DA UNIÃO EUROPEIA PORTUGAL 2021” (“Portugal – Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2021”).
The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the outer ring of the coin.
The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the outer ring of the coin.
Background on the topic
The presidency of the Council of the European Union rotates every six months among the member states. The presiding country chairs most meetings of the Council, in which the national governments’ specialist ministers convene, as well as numerous preparatory working groups. It draws up agendas, mediates between different positions and conducts negotiations on behalf of the Council with the European Parliament and the European Commission. The main exception is the Foreign Affairs Council, which is generally chaired by the High Representative of the Union. The presidency of the Council must also not be confused with the presidency of the European Council.
Portugal assumed this role from 1 January to 30 June 2021. Together with Germany, which held the presidency in the second half of 2020, and Slovenia, which followed in the second half of 2021, it formed a so-called trio presidency. This procedure is intended to ensure that political initiatives are coordinated over a period of 18 months.
The Portuguese term of office coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, economic and social recovery, the implementation of the European recovery programmes and the coordination of health policy measures were the main focus. Other areas of work included the digital and ecological transition as well as European social policy. In May 2021, an EU Social Summit took place in Porto, where the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights was discussed.
Portugal had joined the then European Communities in 1986 and had already held the presidency of the Council three times. Earlier Portuguese presidencies are associated, among other things, with the Lisbon Strategy of 2000 and the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon in 2007.
The issue of a commemorative coin refers to the publicly visible role assumed by a member state during its six-month term of office. At the same time, it points to the interplay between national responsibility and shared European decision-making processes.
Portugal assumed this role from 1 January to 30 June 2021. Together with Germany, which held the presidency in the second half of 2020, and Slovenia, which followed in the second half of 2021, it formed a so-called trio presidency. This procedure is intended to ensure that political initiatives are coordinated over a period of 18 months.
The Portuguese term of office coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, economic and social recovery, the implementation of the European recovery programmes and the coordination of health policy measures were the main focus. Other areas of work included the digital and ecological transition as well as European social policy. In May 2021, an EU Social Summit took place in Porto, where the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights was discussed.
Portugal had joined the then European Communities in 1986 and had already held the presidency of the Council three times. Earlier Portuguese presidencies are associated, among other things, with the Lisbon Strategy of 2000 and the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon in 2007.
The issue of a commemorative coin refers to the publicly visible role assumed by a member state during its six-month term of office. At the same time, it points to the interplay between national responsibility and shared European decision-making processes.