Rui Moreira, Mayor of Porto, wants to strengthen economic relations between Portugal and Spain

Rui Moreira called for a strengthening of economic relations between Portugal and Spain at the beginning of a luncheon hosted by the Mayor of Porto to the Spanish monarchs and chaired by the Portuguese head of State, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, at Palácio da Bolsa, on the second day of the State visit to Portugal.

The mayor of Porto highlighted the "economic, social and institutional link to Spain" and considered cooperation between companies from both sides of the border to be "an essential step", "through trade flows, investment and tourism, joint projects and internationalization partnerships".

Rui Moreira, who spoke in Portuguese and Spanish, made an appeal to Felipe VI, referring to both countries' past tradition of sailors. "To us people who have the restlessness of the eternal seamen, there is always a new world and you will forgive me If I propose that we be able to discover it against tides and winds, and that we have the foresight to do it together", the mayor said.

The King of Spain praised the "effort, tenacity and sacrifice" of both portuguese and spanish businessmen that now allow "to begin to envisage the end of the economic crisis" and highlighted the possibilities of business cooperation between Portuguese and Spanish companies in new markets, linked by very close languages and cultures.

Felipe VI praised the work carried out in the Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto, which he visited during the morning, and highlighted the "impressive transformation" Porto and Northern Portugal have undergone since his last visit.

The President of the Republic considered that "Spain is a special case for Portugal." Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa broke the protocol, which required written interventions, so that he could talk about what he felt, stressing that he was expressing "what is in the hearts of all the Portuguese, an old admiration and affection for the kings of Spain".

The President of the republic considered that "such warm reception granted to the kings of Spain in Porto" was the confirmation that the decision to begin the state Visit in Porto was the right decision.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa recalled that Spain is the "main investor in Portugal and the first destination" of national exports, in "a unique interdependence and economic interrelation in the European Union".

The kings of Spain began the State visit to Portugal Monday in Porto. The monarchs also visited Guimarães and will conclude the State visit tomorrow in Lisbon.