In the leadup to President Vladimir Putin's Nov. 23 visit to Portugal, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko noted that Portugal had distinguished itself as an open and motivated partner, determined to cooperate with Russia on a long-term basis. Russo-Portuguese relations are now gaining pace, he added.
"We like that country's sensible, constructive approach to major international and European problems. And we have similar visions of responses to challenges and threats of the modern day," Mr. Yakovenko noted.
According to the Foreign Ministry spokesman, both sides analyze key aspects of international politics, primarily interaction between members of the global community in the fight against terrorism. They also consider ways of maintaining global security, including through cooperation between Russia and NATO, as well as nuclear non-proliferation issues and activities of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Particular emphasis is placed on acute regional problems, developments in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Russia-EU partnership is also prominent on the agenda.
