Roberta METSOLA, EP President holds a press point with Marcelo Rebelo de SOUSA, President of Portugal at the European Parliament, in Strasbourg. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

statement

Strasbourg

press point

plenary session

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

EU - Portugal (T)

REBELO DE SOUSA, Marcelo

president's agenda

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and by Marcelo Rebelo de SOUSA, President of Portugal

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/70206405/1683711044520_I240855Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Good morning, everybody. It is very much an honour to welcome my dear friend, President Rebelo de Sousa, to the House of European Democracy. This House still remembers your first visit to a European institution when it was held here, in Strasbourg in 2016. A few months after your first election as President of Portugal. It says everything about your respect for this Parliament.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, In our meeting just now, we touched upon a wide range of issues from Ukraine to the current economic and social situation and trade. I also want to particularly thank you for your work and commitment in reaching out and encouraging continued support for Ukraine on other continents, specifically in Latin America and in Africa, where Portugal plays a key role.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Let me also mention another important topic for both of us, the defence of democracy and our values. In these challenging times, we have to stand united against disinformation, populism and nationalism. We cannot give in to cynicism and indifference. We have to be closer to our people and bring people closer and Europe closer to them. Something that you, President, has been doing so wisely.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, I know that Portugal is remarkably euro-optimistic, if I can use this term. But we have learned anything from last year, it is that we cannot not take Europe for granted. We need to keep fighting for it. So, President Marcelo, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on Europe today, just as I look forward to seeing you again in Lisbon in a few weeks time. With regard to the floor is yours.

SOUNDBITE (English), Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA, President of Portugal, Thank you, President. It's an honour to be invited here and to pay a tribute to your wonderful mandate, it has been in a wonderful term, a brilliant one. Young prospective, building the future, keeping in touch with the people. And that's what Europe must be about.

SOUNDBITE (English), Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA, President of Portugal, Of course, we spoke of Ukraine, we spoke of the war, we spoke of the socioeconomic, financial effects of the war, what people feel, and mostly the Ukrainian people is suffering. But it is a global war, we know it's not just in European war, but in other continents. We know that war must be explained and its effects. And happily, we will be united dealing with is so important issue for the world.

SOUNDBITE (English), Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA, President of Portugal, Then we spoke of the relation between Europe and other continents, with Africa. As you mentioned, the Portuguese speaking community is spread all over the world, mostly in Africa, also in Brazil, also an Asian Pacific and the relations with Latin America. So important for Europe, not to be a reality that is closed; but on the contrary, be open to the world and the standing of the world and playing the role of a global power. Europe is a global power.

SOUNDBITE (English), Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA, President of Portugal, And then, of course, we spoke of the challenges of these days for democracy, for representation, for pluralism, for freedom, for liberty. And that we must anticipate the only way of fighting against organic movements, so-called populism, is to be there and address the problems of the people, not having gaps that are being filled by someone else, anti-systemically or a little bit outside a system. An institutional system that was built for very, very long.

SOUNDBITE (English), Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA, President of Portugal, You know, that we Portuguese we are very, very, very much pro-European. All the polls show it. We are Europe, our democracy, our freedom, our economic and social development. And we are very grateful for it. But it's not a job that is done. We must build democracy, every day. Freedom, every day. Economic and sustainable development, every day. And that's what you're doing.

SOUNDBITE (English), Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA, President of Portugal, President and dear friend, that's why we are very glad to have you in Portugal in June, not only working with and being received with by the Parliament, the Prime Minister, the President, but being a guest of honour as speaker in the Council of State, which is very rare. Just that very few personalities came from abroad to lecture us about their experiences, being so young with so much future. It's an honour and the unique opportunity for Portugal and the Portuguese .

Q&amp;A, Question regarding on stability in the Porguese goverment nowadays.

Q&amp;A, Question regarding on the future of Europe and the peace in its territories. Second question on bringing forward the date of EU elections in Portugal.