Armen Sarkissian met with the Prime Minister of Portugal: Armenian-Portuguese relations have great potential for development

President Armen Sarkissian, who is in Portugal on a working visit, today met with the Prime Minister António Costa.

Speaking about the historically warm relations of the two countries and peoples and rich cultural heritage, President Sarkissian said that every Armenian proudly remembers the name of Galust Gyulbenkian - one of the glorious sons of the Armenian nation.

In his turn, the Prime Minister of Portugal underscored Galust Gyulbenkian’s work and legacy, charity and the role of his foundation in the scientific and cultural life of Portugal. The President of Armenia and Prime Minister of Portugal exchanged views on the possible areas of cooperation. Armen Sarkissian underlined that the two countries have great potential for cooperation in the areas of science and education, scientific exchanges and implementation of joint research programs.

Noting that he was aware of Portugal’s program to build a space station for launching satellites, President Sarkissian said that Armenia is ready to share its experience, scientific potential, and expertise in this area which is well-known since Soviet times.
The parties concurred that Armenia and Portugal possess great potential for cooperation in the areas of information technologies, natural sciences, and artificial intelligence.

President Sarkissian added that tourism might become one of the most promising areas of the Armenian-Portuguese cooperation. “Armenia and Portugal are wonderful countries and need to explore each other,” the President of Armenia said.

The interlocutors spoke also about the opportunities to establish a direct air link between the two countries and agreed to look into that issue.