AGERPRES special correspondent to Lisbon, Portugal, Florentina Peia reports:

The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, said on Saturday that his country supports Romania’s accession to the Schengen area and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

„As far as Europe is concerned, we must support, as we have always done, Romania’s desire to enter the Schengen area, in the same way that, globally, we support its joining the OECD,” Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa told a joint news conference with President Klaus Iohannis at Belem Palace.

He added that the relationships between Portugal and Romania are excellent.

He pointed out that the Portuguese forces in Romania are an example of co-operation.

He announced that two important agreements will be signed with Romania – in the areas of energy and in investment and trade.

„One of them in terms of economic investment and a strong presence of Portugal in Romania in areas where we are fighting a common fight, such as the green economy, (…) but also in other very varied areas. Our companies are located in Romania and they are very happy to be there. That is very important,” said the Portuguese president.

He added that the Romanians in Portugal feel at home in his country.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also pointed out that his country is standing with Ukraine amidst the war started by the Russian Federation.

„We also support its wishes for accession to NATO and the European Union. We also support the membership of Moldova and Georgia, which must include the Western Balkans,” said the Portuguese president.

President Klaus Iohannis on Friday started a four-day visit to Portugal.

He was scheduled for Monday to meet Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa; President of the Portuguese Parliament Augusto Santos Silva, and Portuguese lawmakers. He was also expected to call on the Palace of the Lisbon Municipality to meet local mayor Carlos Moedas.