European Commission President to visit Macao

(Macao—14 July 2005) The President of the European Commission, Mr José Manuel Barroso, is to pay a two-day visit to Macao, on 17 July. Mr Barroso and his delegation’s will be in Macao as part of their official visit to China from July 14 to 18 July, at the invitation of the Central Government. While here, they will meet with the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, the local Portuguese community and tour the popular scenic spots. This is the President’s first visit to China, which would take them to Beijing, Shanghai, Macao and Hong Kong. Members of the delegation includes Mrs Margarida Barroso, the Spokesperson for the European Commission, Mrs Francoíse Le Bail, member of Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes of the Cabinet of President Barroso, the Director of the Directorate General for Trade, Mr João Aguiar Machado, the Head of Office of the European Commission in Hong Kong, Mr Thomas Roe. Mr Barroso was born and grew up in Lisbon, Portugal. At the age of 46, he became Prime Minister of Portugal when he introduced a far-reaching programme of financial and structural reforms for the country’s economy. In 2004, Mr Barroso was approached as a candidate for President of the European Commission and was confirmed as European Commission President in November the same year.