Valerie hosts Visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Portugal

As Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Portugal I was pleased to welcome the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Artur dos Santos Castro de Campos Rangel MP.

Minister Rangel met the Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP and signed the Visitors Book in the Crimson Room of the Speakers State Apartments. I then held a round table with members of the APPG and attending were Baroness Gloria Hooper and Lord Dennis Rogan both have a longstanding contact with Portugal and our APPG.

The Minister and delegation then sat in the Under Gallery to listen to Health and Social Care Questions. The Minister had met the Secretary of State the Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP when she was the Foreign Secretary. I then gave the delegation a brief Tour. The Minister had a meeting at the Cabinet Office and then with the Foreign Secretary the Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP at the FCDO.

With the Minister was H.E. Ambassador Nuno Brito, the Deputy Head of Mission, Matilde Salvacao Barretto, Director General for European Affairs Ambassador Cristina Moniz, First Secretary Joao Barata Lima and the Ministers advisers  Mafalda Sousa and Joana Reis and photographer Andre Noble.

The Minister was keen for the APPG and the Portugal Friendship Group to continue tour strong relationship and I said members of the APPG are hoping to visit the Portugal Parliament once the Budget deliberations are completed in November.