Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro spoke this Wednesday to French President Emmanuel Macron, promising to strengthen relations between the two countries, highlighting the European agenda as well as the influence in Africa that they both share.
“Our inclination is not only to continue but to strengthen our ties, so I come here, dear President, with the intention of continuing the relationship that we have, but expanding it and telling you that we have space for cooperation before we can be deeper and serve our people,” said Luis Montenegro at the Elysee Palace in Paris, where he was invited to a working lunch.
Before the head of the French state, the Portuguese Prime Minister emphasized that “Portugal and France have a very transversal, historic partnership, both from a bilateral point of view” and in terms of “commitment to the values and building the future of the European Union, both from a global point of view at the United Nations” and in geographic regions where they have common interests, “such as Africa.”
“We are very focused and supportive of the main tasks that we face today in the European Union, starting with supporting Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion, monitoring the situation in the Gaza Strip and the entire process of economic restart of Europe. “, he said.
For Luis Montenegro, this process includes “the development of the single market, the development of the competitiveness of our companies, financing, especially for small and medium-sized companies, as well as topical issues such as the management of migration flows.”
The Portuguese head of government also congratulated the French for hosting the Paris Olympic Games, which will take place from July 26 to August 11, and said he would very much like to come and see “up close and personal” Gallic “organizational potential.” , as well as “accompany Portuguese athletes.”
Montenegro highlighted how the Portuguese community had been and continues to be welcomed in France and thanked the French President for his message on the occasion of the 50th anniversary on 25 April.
Portugal and France will deepen bilateral relations through a “friendship treaty” that aims to strengthen cooperation in several sectoral areas such as education, economy and energy, a source in the Prime Minister’s Office told Lusa.
The decision was made during a lunch that brought together Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris, aimed at deepening bilateral relations between the two countries.
According to a source in Montenegro’s office, the goal is to start a “new cycle” in relations between Portugal and France by holding bilateral meetings more regularly.
Before lunch with Macron, Montenegro was at Orly station to visit Portuguese artist Alexandre Farto’s (Vils) mural “Strates Urbanes”, where he spoke to reporters about former Prime Minister António Costa’s candidacy for the presidency of the European Council.
The Prime Minister pointed to the characteristics that justify the Portuguese government’s support for socialism: “It is because he is Portuguese, because he is a supporter of Europe, because he carries values such as respect for peace, democracy, political solidarity and between states” . European Union,” he told reporters in a statement carried by RTP.
Montenegro also added that “in his specific role as coordinator of the European Council,” António Costa is “qualified to build the bridges needed between member states and even between some different political parties with sensitivities.”
“I do not consider the family to be socialist and I do not trust any other socialist in Europe to fulfill this role,” he said.
The Prime Minister also expressed hope that the elections will be completed next week.
At the Elysee Palace, Emmanuel Macron said the meeting with Montenegro would help prepare the “next deadlines” next week, as well as define Europe’s “strategic agenda” and the security, military, technological, economic, of “a sovereign Europe, a Europe of decarbonization.” A Europe that protects its borders and helps its allies.”
“Between us, between the two countries, there is a deep rapprochement and a desire to do things together,” he said, referring to “the values that also make up the European model,” and noting that on “international issues, Ukraine, Russia, the Middle East, Africa,” the cooperation “also demonstrates the affinity of interests and values” between the two countries.
“I want to tell you how much the ties that unite us are human ties, ties of mutual passion and friendship, but also very important ties for our Europe. We share the same values and the same determination,” Macron emphasized.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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