Spain and Portugal want the best possible relations with Trump's government, say Iberian Prime Ministers

Record ID: 79102

  • Title: Spain and Portugal want the best possible relations with Trump's government, say Iberian Prime Ministers
  • Date: 14th November 2016
  • Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (NOVEMBER 14, 2016) (REUTERS) MEDIA / NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
  • Embargoed: 29th November 2016 16:34
  • Keywords: Spain Portugal Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa Mariano Rajoy Madrid. Trump
  • Location: MADRID, SPAIN
  • City: MADRID, SPAIN
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA00558F1XS7
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Spain and Portugal hope to maintain good relations with the new government of the United States, prime ministers from both countries said on Monday (November 14).
    "My wish is that each and every European country maintains good relations with the United States, and the United States maintains good relations not only with each and every European country but also with the European Union," Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said at a news conference in Madrid, after meeting with his Spanish counterpart, Mariano Rajoy.
    Both were asked about reports on U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's intentions to unsubscribe the climate change agreements, signed last year in Paris during the COP 21 summit.
    "I am absolutely convinced that all those who signed and supported these agreements, which are good for humanity, will continue to support them. Therefore I am not going to place myself in a different position," Rajoy said.
    Costa was the first official guest welcomed by Rajoy after taking office for a second term two weeks ago, following a 10-month political deadlock in the country.
    The pair discussed bilateral issues, including police cooperation by the two countries in the fight against terrorism as well as Portugal's weakened banking system. Costa said his country will follow Spain's example in solving its financial crisis.
    "What Spain did is an excellent example. The priority given in Spain to solve the banks' problems is one of the explanations of the current economic growth in the country. Portugal had to attend other priorities and it now has to try what Spain tried before, and we hope to obtain the same result," said Costa.
    Last month the European Commission and Portugal agreed in principle to the recapitalisation, on market terms, of Caixa Geral de Depositos, envisaging an injection of up to 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion) in state funds and nearly as much in debt and equity.
    The deficit targets for both countries demanded by the European Union for 2017 were also in the agenda.
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