Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro arrived today in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on his first visit outside Europe, where he was received by his counterpart Ulisses Correia y Silva at 12:15 (14:15 in Lisbon). .
Montenegro traveled from Nelson Mandela International Airport to the Government Palace, where it was received by the Prime Minister of Cape Verde for a private meeting, followed by a meeting of delegations from the two countries.
The Prime Minister of Portugal is accompanied by the Minister of Communities, José Cesário.
After the meeting, the leaders of the two governments will sign a memorandum of understanding to create a special microcredit line for entrepreneurs, especially youth and women.
The VII Portugal-Cape Verde Summit is scheduled for the second half of the year in Portugal, but the date is still unknown as relations between Portugal and Cape Verde are experiencing “excellent” times, according to the Office of the Prime Minister of Portugal.
Cape Verde is seen as “an example of political and democratic stability in Africa”, being one of the countries with which Portugal “has closer and more comprehensive bilateral relations”.
Portugal maintains a variety of cooperation with Cape Verde, especially in the field of education.
On the other hand, the Portuguese territory continues to attract many young Cape Verdeans who emigrate in search of better living conditions.
Portugal has strengthened consular services in Praia in 2023 with an attaché dedicated exclusively to issuing work visas, given the rise in demand: last year the number of work visas exceeded 6,000, almost five times more than in 2022.
On a common agenda, the two countries presented the debt-to-climate fund agreement signed in 2023 in various global forums as an example to follow.
In terms of commercial exchange, Portugal is the archipelago’s main source of imports and one of the main recipients of exports.
In the afternoon, the program includes a visit to a renewable energy center operating near the capital and a technology park being built in the city of Praia.
At the end of the day, Luis Montenegro will be received at the National Assembly by the President of this body, Austelino Correia, after which a meeting will take place at the Presidential Palace with the head of state, José Maria Neves.
On Sunday, the agenda includes a visit to the historical site of Cidade Velha, where a meeting with representatives of the Portuguese community will take place, concluding the program.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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