The Government has backed the position of the President of the European Council, António Costa, who asserts that the mission of the EU is to protect an international order based on rules. This contrasts with the opinion of the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who maintains that Europe cannot act as «the guardian of the old world order.» The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, stated at the press conference following the Council of Ministers that «we identify with the statements of António Costa.»
