Discussion on the EU funding is crucial to Portugal

"The Government wishes to be on the front line of the discussion on sources of [European Union] funding and the multiannual financial framework in a "discussion that is absolutely crucial for the country’s future, claimed Prime Minister Luís Montenegro in Parliament.

Luís Montenegro, who was speaking a the discussion to promote the upcoming European Council on 17 and 18 October in Brussels, recalled the challenges on European competitiveness indicated in the Draghi report, namely "overcome serious shortcomings from the investment in strategic sectors perspective and pursuing greater economic autonomy on several levels of Europe and each Member State".

The European Union must ensure an annual investment of 750 to 800 billion euros meaning it is necessary to "strengthen the funding mechanisms, whether from Member States of private investment instruments".

The Prime Minister stressed the fact that the Financial Services and Savings and Investment area was allocated to the Portuguese European Commissioner, the former Minister of Finance Maria Luís Albuquerque, claiming that "subjects as important as competitiveness and economic growth have been recognised in terms of Portugal’s possible participation in this important brief".

Middle East

As for the Near and Middle East context, Luís Montenegro stated the current Government follows the line "that came from previous Governments in power" to uphold the two-state solution. The Portuguese representation at the United Nations General Assembly voted to recognise Palestine as a full member of the United Nations.

It also showed its agreeance towards creating an EU working group "to set up a joint positioning of all Member States" to recognise the Palestinian State, which is a "balanced solution".

The Prime Minister state he will keep that balance "condemning all violations of human rights whether from the side of Israel or Hamas, from Hezbollah or Iran".

He also mentioned the Portuguese Government was "the first one on an international level to condemn Israel for the statements made concerning the Un Secretary-General" António Guterres, also noting the decision to stop "the use of our air and maritime space to trade weapons", "which no other Government had done before us".

Immigration

On the immigration policy, Luís Montenegro stated the Government’s aim is to favour regulation and family reunification on a European and national level, as family unity favours social integration.

"On Portugal’s side, we foster immigration of whole families so they can settle in Portugal and have members of their household active, some working, others studying in our schools", he said.

Family reunification allows for "full integration, it allows people to acquire our culture, learn our language, attain the bases to be qualified and serve our community in the future".

Concerning regulation, Luís Montenegro indicated that "since we terminated the manifestation of interest instrument, we’ve had 80% less requests", he said, adding that "the goal is to foster good integration, a proper welcome a decent life for the people who are helping Portugal", fighting the human trafficking networks.

"Regulation favours the dignifying of people and also favours matching the occupations sought in our labour market to our economy’s needs. We shall continue to act along those lines", he said.

The EU Heads of State and Government will meet to discuss the situations in Ukraine, the Middle East, competitiveness, migration, and foreign affairs.

Before the European Council they will meet with the Heads of State and Government of the Persian Gulf region for the first summit between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council, made up of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Katar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Oman.