ISTANBUL

The EU Council president on Thursday marked the 40th anniversary of Portugal’s accession to the then-European Economic Community, now the European Union, calling it a milestone that reshaped both the nation and Europe itself.

“This is a huge success for Portugal, the fruit of Portuguese efforts. But it is also thanks to Europe’s solidarity as part of a project of shared prosperity,” Antonio Costa said at the ceremony in the capital Lisbon.

“It was the culmination of Portugal’s process of democratization that began with 25 April,” he said, referring to the country’s Carnation Revolution of 1974.

“The signing of the accession treaty not only concluded Portugal’s democratic transition, but also ushered in the era of the greatest social and economic development in Portugal’s history.”

Costa said the 1985 accession fulfilled the “three Ds of the April revolution,” adding: “After democracy and decolonization, accession to the EEC opened the door to development.”

He described the 1980s enlargement as a turning point for Europe.

“For the first time, Europe was not defined as a customs union, a common market, but as a political entity, as a union of democracies.”

Highlighting the country’s economic transformation since joining the bloc, Costa said: “The Portuguese economy has grown 143% due to its internal market opening up to Europe. There has been an eightfold increase in the average wage, and GDP per capita has risen elevenfold.”

He praised Portugal’s modern workforce, stating: “Once a country in which an 18% illiteracy rate hindered development, today Portugal is a country where the 43% of young people with higher education offer the country enormous potential for future development.”

“It is therefore no surprise that the Portuguese, out of all Europeans, nowadays trust the European Union the most,” Costa said.

He also pointed to Portugal’s role in shaping Europe’s path: “Portugal has always been an active, loyal and constructive partner, always able to position its own interests within the framework of the EU’s common interests.”

On the EU’s growth, Costa said: “There were 10 of us (members) in 1985. Now there are 27. Enlargement has turned out to be the greatest geostrategic investment for peace and prosperity.”

In closing, he cited the words of the late Mario Soares, then Portugal’s president, at the 1985 treaty signing: “A day of good omen for the future of Europe. May that future be one of solidarity and unity, may it promote progress and social justice and may it provide an element of peace and stability in today’s troubled world.”