PT wants a European country as a gateway for business in the EU; visit was also marked by protests against the PT government
The president (PT) stated this Tuesday (April 21, 2026), in Lisbon, that Brazil and Portugal are experiencing the “best moment” of their historical relationship. The statement was made after a meeting with the Prime Minister (PSD, right), at Palacete de São Bento, the prime minister’s official residence.
“Rest assured that history has prepared a beautiful surprise for us. The surprise is that Portugal and Brazil are experiencing the best moment of their lives”, declared Lula.
The PT member said he wanted to go beyond the traditional partnership and transform Portugal into a base of operations for Brazilian business in Europe. According to him, part of Brazil’s negotiations with the EU (European Union) within the scope of the Mercosur-EU agreement should be “built” in Portuguese territory.
“We don’t want Portugal to be just the gateway. We want Portugal to be the gateway to building a robust partnership”he stated.
Lula cited Embraer as a model to be replicated. According to him, the Brazilian aeronautical company installed in Portugal demonstrates that it is possible to create businesses that take advantage of local labor and benefit both countries. “Embraer is the most successful demonstration of a Brazilian company that is here helping to build things in Portugal”he declared.
The speech is optimistic. The Parliament of Portugal on April 1st, a new wording of the which tightens the rules for foreigners seeking citizenship – directly affecting thousands of Brazilians residing in the country.
O most recent of (Agency for Migration and Asylum Integration), with data from 2024, indicates that 484,596 Brazilian citizens live in Portugal – the largest foreign community. The number, however, is higher. This is because Brazilians who live in the country with citizenship of a European Union nation are not included.
Montenegro admitted to having “focus of disturbance” in the processes, but said that, “no global”the mechanisms are “impeccable”.
Lula’s visit to Lisbon also generated protests. Anti-PT protesters, organized by the right-wing Chega party, gathered in the Belém Palace region, seat of the Portuguese Presidency. An event in favor, called by the PT nucleus in Lisbon, was held in the same area.
LULA IN PORTUGAL
Lisbon is Lula’s last stop on his tour of Europe. Previously, he was in Barcelona (Spain) and Hannover (Germany). The PT member is still meeting this Tuesday (April 21) with the Portuguese president, (PS, left), before returning to Brazil.
Lula in April 2023 – he also landed in the European country on April 21st. At the time, it remained until April 25th. He met with the then president of the country, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, with António Costa, who was the prime minister and today holds the position of president of the European Council of the EU, and other authorities.
Lula’s decision to include Portugal on this trip was, according to ambassador Roberto Abdalla, due to the historical nature of the relationship between the two nations and the large Brazilian community that lives in the European country.
Montenegro recalled that it is the first time that Lula has come to Portugal since taking over the Portuguese government 2 years ago. He spoke about the historical relationship between the countries and the collaboration in various areas, such as sustainability, environmental protection, protection of maritime space and trade.
Here is the delegation that accompanied Lula to Lisbon:
- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira;
- Minister of Finance, Dario Durigan;
- Minister of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services, Márcio Elias Rosa;
- Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira;
- substitute Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luis Manuel Fernandes;
- president of Fiocruz, Márcio Moreira.
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