On Monday, 10 March, Foreign Minister Steinmeier will be joined by his Portuguese counterpart Rui Machete in opening the second German Portuguese Forum in Berlin.

Against the backdrop of the two countries’ close cooperation, particularly with regard to overcoming the economic and financial crisis, the Forum offers a two day platform (10 and 11 March) for more detailed exchange.

Speakers will include judges Peter Huber and Joaquim José Coelho de Sousa Ribeiro from the constitutional courts as well as State Secretaries Steffen Kampeter (Federal Ministry of Finance), Jörg Asmussen (Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs) and Bruno Maçães (European Affairs).

Bringing together some 200 participants, the Forum is set to provide fresh impetus for joint action and enhance mutual understanding. To this end, participants will among other things compare the roles of their respective constitutional courts and discuss the German Portuguese outlook on the European Union’s future.

Interpretation of the entire conference will be available in German and Portuguese.

The German Portuguese Forum and the Ministers’ opening addresses will be open to the press.

Bilateral relations