Speaking at a joint press conference with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, after a meeting devoted to the semiannual Portuguese presidency of the Council of the EU, which kicks off within a month, Costa reiterated that, for Portugal, “EU values ​​do not they are only a condition of access to funds, they are much more than that ”, and defended that the question of the conditionality mechanism in accessing funds to respect for the rule of law should not even be reopened, as it has already been agreed.

At his side, Charles Michel was also emphatic, stating that "there is no doubt about the commitment of Portugal and the Prime Minister to the values" of the EU.

"I can tell you that, around the table of the European Council, we all know the sincerity and strength of António Costa's commitment, who systematically participates actively in all matters, including difficult ones", he said.