Marcelo Rebello de Sousa spoke at the Portuguese embassy in London after being questioned by the media on Monday about the possibility of Prime Ministers Antonio Costa and Boris Johnson concluding a global political agreement on a new framework for cooperation between the two countries.
“The Prime Minister [António Costa] And the Portuguese Government, in collaboration with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the British Government, have been working hard for this. Like the Prime Minister [português] He will be in London on Monday, which means conditions are ripe for a step towards an agreement. ”
When asked by Portugal and the United Kingdom about the possibility of concluding a bilateral agreement soon from a business perspective, Marcelo Rebello de Sousa declared that it was “possible” without conflicting with EU rules regarding third countries.
“It has already begun preparations under the previous government led by the same Prime Minister. Each member state is free to maintain bilateral relations, without conflict with the European Union,” he said.
At this point, the President pointed out that “this is already the various rights of British citizens in Portugal and the Portuguese in the United Kingdom, even politically.”
According to Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the global agreement to be signed between Portugal and the United Kingdom is “not contrary to the rules of EU country membership.”
“The conclusion of this agreement shows that Portugal can be a very interesting bridge with the United Kingdom, a traditional ally within the EU,” he added.
“An agreement is being prepared between the two countries with a particular focus on defense, foreign policy, science, higher education and climate change, especially the oceans,” Foreign Minister Joao Gomez told Lusa. At the end of his visit to the Royal Prompton Hospital in Gravinho, London, he was accompanied by President Marcelo Rebello de Sousa.
