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| Silva: Portugal's Accession to EU and Eurozone Successful Stories |
| Bratislava, 05.09.2008 |
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| Accession of Portugal to the EU and to eurozone are clearly the stories of success, Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva told journalists in Bratislava on Thursday following his meeting with Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic.
Silva recalled that evidence exists that a small country will gain six-seven times more than a large country by accession to the currency union.
The Portuguese President described the reduction of interest rates, the elimination of exchange rate risks and transaction expenses as the main advantages.
However, it's necessary to keep budgetary discipline, and to increase competitiveness from international perspective in order to make use of these advantages.
As for the Slovak head of state, he isn't worried about a decrease of economic growth in the extent experienced by Portugal following the adoption of the euro in the country. Gasparovic recalled that Slovakia's economy has a strong dynamics of growth, while the economy and social status will be further improved, although not in the (high) extent it's improving today.
Both presidents concurred that the relations of their countries are at a good level. However, the economic and trade relations should be further developed. Regarding the co-operation in cultural area and education the presidents stated that it remains open.
The highest representative of Portugal is being accompanied on his two-day official visit to Bratislava by a delegation of businessmen that focuses on innovative technologies.
During the talks the presidents also touched on the current situation in the EU, the problems of Kosovo, the conflict between Russia and Georgia, energy-related dependence of Europe, and the future of the EU in case that the Treaty of Lisbon hasn't been ratified.
The mutual Slovak-Portuguese trade turnover reached a record level of €226.6 million (Sk6.83 billion) last year. The most important items of Slovak exports are machines and transport devices, road vehicles, metal products, electronic gadgets, rubber products, fabric, leather and leather products. The total Portuguese investments in Slovakia have exceeded €1 million (Sk30.126 million), which went solely to the bank sphere.
(TASR)
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Address : Euro-Brew Ltd., Hlboká 22, 917 01 Trnava, Slovakia
Tel. : +421 33 53 418 53, Fax : +421 33 53 418 52, E-mail : info@eurobrew.sk |
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