European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen gave Wednesday the first green light to Portugal for its recovery plan seeking funding from the bloc's landmark multi-billion-euro coronavirus rescue fund.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (L) and Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa (R) share a toast during a meeting at the Pavilion of Knowledge in Lisbon, on June 16, 2021. (Photo: AFP)

"It is the first national plan endorsed by the Commission, here in Portugal," she said in Lisbon standing alongside Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa at the start of a tour that will take her to most of the European Union's 27 member states.