Portuguese President Favours Closer Cooperation With Russia

The presidents of Russia and Portugal, Vladimir Putin and Jorge Sampaio, are holding negotiations in the Kremlin. Portuguese President Sampaio said at the beginning of the meeting that he favours the construction of a "new security and confidence-building system in Europe." He emphasised that Portugal regards Russia as an "inalienable part of Europe." The present-day situation in the world "requires closer cooperation," the Portuguese leader said. Sampaio said there are now good prerequisites for the further development of the already good Russian-Portuguese relations. In Portugal, he said, there is a strong interest in Russia and its reforms, carried out by its president. After the Putin-Sampaio meeting, the negotiations will be continued in a broader format.