Rasi Meets Portuguese Ambassador, Confirms Strong Bilateral Relations

Bratislava, 5 December (TASR) – House Chair Richard Rasi on Friday received Portuguese Ambassador to Slovakia Maria Joao Falcao Poppe Lopes Cardoso at Parliament and their meeting confirmed the high level and intensity of bilateral relations, TASR learnt from the Parliament's Office press department on the same day. The ties between Bratislava and Lisbon have long been pragmatic and without outstanding issues, reads the statement. At the start of the talks, Rasi highly praised the current state of relations with Portugal, which have recently gained momentum, particularly following the successful state visit of the Slovak President to Portugal. In this context, Rasi handed the ambassador an official invitation for Portuguese Parliament head Jose Pedro Aguiar Branco to visit Slovakia. "I place particular emphasis on strengthening dialogue at the interparliamentary level. Parliamentary relations are not shaped only by the speakers of parliaments; friendship groups and parliamentary committees also play a key role," Rasi stressed during the meeting, while also expressing interest in deepening cooperation in culture and youth affairs. In the discussion, Rasi recalled his personal ties to Portugal from his time as mayor of Kosice, especially with respect to the European Capital of Culture project. Ambassador Maria Joao Falcao Poppe Lopes Cardoso thanked Rasi for the reception and welcomed the mutual active interest in developing relations, as evidenced by a series of high-level visits. mf