Statements by President of the Government and Prime Minister of the Republic of Portugal

Brussels

President of the Government.- Ladies and gentlemen, a very good afternoon to you and thank you for attending.

We have just held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Portugal, Pedro Passos Coelho, to tackle issues that will be dealt with later at today's meeting. We both believe that we are facing one of the most important issues affecting the European Union at this time and one that will affect the European Union, above all, in the future.

The opinion our countries and governments have been advocating for some time now is that we must try to resolve this type of problem at source. If we manage to resolve the reasons why some people need to apply for asylum, in other words, if we eliminate political persecution, if wars don't take place and if we also manage to do away with the causes for which many people wish to come to Europe to live a dignified life, in other words, helping those countries, we would undoubtedly be taking a great step forward.

Hence, the position we will advocate at this debate, which is informal but which makes sense and can help to establish a position on the issue, is that we will try to ensure that people enjoy a better life in their country of origin since those who leave their own country do so not because they want to but rather because they want to live a dignified life or simply because they are persecuted or because there is a war going on.

This is an issue on which we are going to adopt a common position, as we always try to do on issues that affect us all, and we hope that the European Union will take this issue seriously and look at the issue that we should always look at, which is the root of the problem.

Q. Mr Passos Coelho, there is a debate going on in Spain regarding Catalonia, regarding the future of Catalonia, and there are elections next Sunday. Do you agree with all the international players who have spoken on this issue, to wit, an independent Catalonia would have to leave the European Union?

Mr. Passos Coelho.- I don't want to interfere in internal affairs of other countries; but I would like to say that we have a very long-standing friendship with Spain and part of this good relationship with Spain means that for us it is very important to maintain a united Spain, with its territorial integrity. I believe that the voice of our two countries has been very important in European issues and that even now, regarding this issue that is related to migration and refugees, Portugal and Spain have a well respected opinion at a European Union level. And I would like this to continue being the path we follow in the future.

I consider that the relationship between Portugal and Spain is mutually beneficial if we start from the principle that we are two States with a very important past, which can be seen through our joint approach to and united voice in the European Union.

As regards the question of Catalonia, the only thing worth highlighting is, perhaps, what the European Union itself pointed out once again. I believe that if a situation like the one just described of an independent Catalonia should arise, this would respond to a situation whereby Catalonia would not come within the boundaries of the European Union; the Treaties would not be applicable and, in relation to the people of Catalonia, their rights as European citizens would not be recognised under the Treaties.

But, as I said, the most important thing is to underline this friendship that prevails between our two countries and, above all, the fact that we are both subject to international law and that we both form part - and this is well respected - of a European Union where we have held a common voice that has been very important in defending the interests of the people of both Spain and Portugal.

We hope that its economic and social recovery, in particular, can be strengthened because, as you are aware, that also has a very important effect on Portugal. We must welcome the growth forecasts for Spain positively.

President of the Government.- We have the same interests. If things go well for Portugal, they do for Spain as well; and if things go well for Spain, they do for Portugal as well.

Thank you very much.