Pellegrini: Slovakia and Portugal United by Belief in Innovation

Lisbon/Bratislava, 27 November (TASR-correspondent) – Slovakia and Portugal may lie at the opposite ends of Europe, but they are united by a forward-looking mindset and a belief in innovation, education and human capital, said President Peter Pellegrini on Thursday at a Slovak-Portuguese Business Forum in Lisbon, which he opened alongside his Portuguese counterpart Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, TASR's special correspondent reported on the same day. The forum, held at Unicorn Factory Lisboa, is taking place during the Slovak president's state visit to Portugal. According to Pellegrini, the visit confirms the excellent relations and growing partnership between the two countries and represents a milestone in their economic and innovation cooperation, which is based on mutual respect, shared values and a common European vision. In his address, Pellegrini noted that the forum brought together representatives of around 20 companies and institutions operating in energy, information technologies and so-called smart cities, joined by their Portuguese partners from both the public and private sectors. He called on both countries and participating companies to use the event not only to conclude business deals but also for mutual inspiration and to build a more competitive and resilient Europe. Agreements were signed at the forum in the presence of both presidents, such as one between the Slovak Export-Import Bank and Portuguese bank Banco Portugues de Fomento, and another between Slovak company Nexineo and Portuguese firm Beltrao Coelho. On Wednesday, the health ministers of Slovakia and Portugal, Kamil Sasko and Ana Paula Martins, also signed memoranda on joint procurement and health-care innovation. According to Pellegrini, these memoranda represent a commitment to cooperate and to exchange ideas and best practices. "I'm convinced that our trade and investment ties will continue to grow beyond the current level of €850 million. We have room to do more – to expand cooperation in renewable energy, smart mobility, cyber-security and the digital economy," added the Slovak president. mf/df