Relations with Portugal are not only good, but based on mutual trust, extremely close and very cordial, said Chancellor Angela Merkel. "And we aim to further develop these relations," she added, following the inaugural visit of Portugal’s Prime Minister António Costa to Berlin. Although Portugal has seen difficult times, its thirty years membership of the European Union have been successful years. "We are happy that the people in Portugal view the European Union very positively, and we want it to stay that way," declared Angela Merkel.

Portugal is on the right path says Angela Merkel

The Chancellor reminded her audience that the economic reform process Portugal has been pursuing has not been easy for its people. But what it has achieved today is impressive. It must focus all its energy on "continuing along this successful path, because sound finances obviously lead to more jobs," noted Angela Merkel. If we look at the most recent economic growth figures, she said, we can see that Portugal "is on the right path".

The Portuguese Prime Minister thanked Germany, which is an important investor, for helping Portugal and the consolidation of its financial situation over recent years. "It helped us during the years of crisis and we have great faith in its economy."

Finding a European solution to the refugee crisis

Portugal and Germany are defending a common project – the European Union – stressed António Costa. The refugee crisis is not the problem of every individual member state, "but a problem we all share, a problem of the entire EU". Portugal intends to do its bit to help overcome this crisis - "whether defending our external borders, or supporting FRONTEX activities at the external borders. But, naturally also in terms of refugees," explained António Costa.

This applies not only within the framework of the EU compromise, but also at bilateral level. "We are willing to work with the countries that are currently under most pressure." It is very important, "that we have a common vision for the future of Europe in the face of all these crises around us," stressed António Costa and added, "We must not divide Europe – we must strengthen it."

Preserving the Schengen Area

Angela Merkel stressed that she is grateful that Portugal has confirmed its support for the system of allocating refugees, and that it will take in its quota. It has also made further offers, because it "sees a common responsibility" said Angela Merkel. There is agreement that the preservation of the Schengen Area is "one of the preconditions for positive economic development". Everything must be done to improve the protection of the EU’s external borders.

But it is "also important to see our humanitarian responsibility and to improve the situation in the home countries of refugees," said the Chancellor. She pointed to the London donor conference for Syria and the region, on Thursday, which managed to raise 11 billion dollars for the period 2016 to 2018. Germany alone will provide 2.3 billion euros.

Making economic development possible

"Overall we have a good agenda, and Germany will continue to work for this at bilateral level," pledged Angela Merkel. She announced an investors’ conference to be held in April. Here it is important to identify Portugal’s economic path from here on, and to make it possible. "It should be successful" and we will "cooperate effectively to this end" declared the Chancellor with conviction.