Macao enhances relationship with Europe

The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, has left with an official delegation for Europe to strengthen mutual co-operative relationship and to promote Macao’s role as a platform for China and the Portuguese-speaking nations. Speaking to the media before his departure at Macao International Airport, Mr Ho said he would meet with high-ranking officials from the European Commission (EU) and Belgium, to discuss ways to enhance their partnership. On the visit to Portugal, Mr Ho said he would highlight Macao’s role as a co-operative platform for entrepreneurs from China and the Portuguese-speaking nations during meetings with Portuguese officials. Mr Ho said education and tourism would also be discussed. When asked if the EU would set up a representative office in Macao, Mr Ho said as channels of contact have been effectively established and were working well, it would not be necessary to discuss this topic. The delegation will arrive in Brussels on 18 June and is scheduled to meet with the President of the European Commission, Mr José Manuel Durão Barroso, the Prime Minister of Belgium, Mr Guy Verhofstadt, as well as other EU and Belgian officials. The delegation will leave Brussels for Lisbon on 21 June.