In celebrating the 50th anniversary of democracy, following the Carnation Revolution of 1974, Portugal wants to foster this good relationship, considering Serbia’s EU accession perspective, which we very much favour, sooner rather than later, while also taking into consideration our own experience of almost 40 years committed to European integration, while not jeopardising, but on the contrary taking a more universal approach to international relations globally, which has always been a Portuguese fundamental characteristic that, curiously, I also find a certain resemblance to in Serbia – José Rui Velez Caroço
The strengthening of bilateral cooperation that has been continuing for almost an entire century, with an emphasis on expanding economic cooperation towards the digital economy, renewable energy and water management, is a task that Portugal’s new ambassador to Serbia has set for himself. Ambassador José Rui Velez Caroço says that Serbia can rely on the support of Portugal in its European integration process, with a former Portuguese prime minister having recently taken on the role of president of the European Council.
Your Excellency, you took on your new role as ambassador to Serbia at the beginning of the year. What are your impressions so far?
— I proudly presented my credentials to President Aleksandar Vučić on 2nd February and have been really enjoying Serbia very much since then. In addition to the country’s beautiful landscape, remarkable historical heritage and rich culture, I am truly impressed by the friendly, heartwarming hospitality and kind spirit of the Serbian People, which I gladly find in small yet significant gestures every day in normal life. I think that a foreigner never feels truly foreign in Serbia, but rather like a guest and a special one at that, with all the pleasant sympathy we encounter everywhere. There are many things in the Serbian way of live, such as enjoying being among family and friends outside, open air activities, sport and leisure, a certain love for food, gastronomy and café culture, that I find quite similar to Portugal. Having spent many years working in different places, in Europe, Southern and Western Africa, South and North America, I feel really comfortable and happy to now be in Belgrade, a magnificent, vibrant and cosmopolitan capital that I recommend everyone visit and appreciate, intending also to visit other cities and parts of Serbia.
Diplomatic relations between Portugal and the former Yugoslavia were established 50 years ago, while bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Serbia date back almost 100 years. How do you view these bilateral relations today?
— It’s true that Portugal and Serbia have benefited from friendly cooperation that has lasted for decades, despite the relative geographic distance between the two countries, with Portugal somewhat distant on Europe’s southern coast of the western Atlantic.
In celebrating the 50th anniversary of democracy, following the Carnation Revolution of 1974, Portugal wants to foster that good relationship, bearing in mind the perspective of Serbian accession to the EU, which we very much favour, sooner rather than later, while also taking into consideration our own experience of almost 40 years committed to European integration, while not jeopardising, but on the contrary taking a more universal approach to international relations globally, which has always been a Portuguese fundamental characteristic that, curiously, I also find a certain resemblance to in Serbia.
Speaking in your public address in Serbia, you mentioned that you intend to contribute to the further growth of cooperation in all areas – from politics and economics, to arts and sports. What will your priorities be in this regard?
— Our relations are indeed very good from a political point of view, while we would like to increase the economic dimension, which still has a lot of room for improvement. Tourism is a domain that we want to develop further. With regular direct flights now operating from Belgrade to Lisbon and Porto, operated by Air Serbia and WizzAir, we are already seeing an increase in travellers both ways.
We are also prioritising higher education, with Portuguese – as a universal language spoken by hundreds of millions and growing – taught at Universities in Belgrade and Novi Sad, in fruitful partnerships with the Portuguese ”Camões” Institute. Culture and Arts activities, like music, attract numerous members of the public and I have already witnessed the fantastic reception of Serbian fans of certain famous contemporary Portuguese singers.
Do you see any tangible ways to improve economic cooperation between Portugal and Serbia?
— The renewable energy sector, where we have quite significant knowhow, could be of interest, as well as the field of urban and rural environmental water management and treatment, where Portugal has achieved incredible progress in recent years. You can today see dolphins in the Tagus estuary of Lisbon’s industrial port, while all the beaches, the coastline and rivers in the interior for swimming and diving activities are pollution free.
Tourism is a domain that we want to develop further. With regular direct flights now operating from Belgrade to Lisbon and Porto, operated by Air Serbia and WizzAir, we are already seeing an increase in travellers both ways
Cooperation in the digital economy and online services, considering what has been done in the Portuguese Public Administration and the significant increase of Digital Nomads that choose to live and work in Portugal, including from Serbia, could also be better exploited. The necessary adjustments for Serbia’s desired full EU membership and the Belgrade 2027 Expo are certainly encouraging factors in fostering this type of mutually beneficial cooperation.
Your interlocutors in Belgrade are counting on Portugal’s support of Serbia’s European integration. What do you see as the biggest challenges on this path?
— And they are right, as Portugal fully supports Serbia’s European integration. Serbia should join the EU. That is good for Serbia and for the EU, as well as for the Balkans. Portugal has always advocated EU enlargement, for a stronger and better Union. We value the EU and its principle of unity in diversity, ensuring the specificities of each member state, their cultures, traditions and languages, alongside the undeniable economic advantages, adding more possibilities and opportunities for everyone, with no internal borders and broader horizons. That’s something the youth should be reminded about. That, of course, doesn’t come without challenges, some necessary sacrifices and even a certain price – namely in terms of adjustments and full compliance with EU rules, which we consider well worth paying, clearly beneficial to the population’s overall wellbeing in the longer run and for good.
How important is it for your country that former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa will take on the Presidency of the European Council as of December?
— We are very proud and honoured that Mr António Costa will bring his vast experience and vision to the Presidency of the European Council, having served eight years as prime minister and as a government minister several times, a former Mayor of Lisbon, Member of the European Parliament and the European Committee of the Regions, always advocating EU ideals, principles and values, and enjoying the full support of the current Portuguese Government.
He will certainly do a great job, without undermining the extremely demanding challenges that the EU is facing. We are confident that the right person was selected, working with all member states for a better EU on the world stage in the coming years.
This is not the first time that a Portuguese figure has held a leading position in the EU, as well as in other relevant international organisations, like the UN, which I would also like to consider. And forgive me for perhaps being a little overly patriotic in saying that this may also express some recognition of the role and positions of my country at the EU level and internationally, by constantly defending freedom, democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights, favouring multilateralism, an openness to listening impartially and trying to take into consideration different opinions and perspectives, in order to achieve a possible consensus and build bridges across nations on all continents.
Serbia’s media provided coverage of the resignation of Mr Costa’s government at the end of last year over allegations of corruption related to lithium mining. Since you come from one of the few European countries that is already engaged in lithium mining, what would you say about the challenges this work entails?
— Portugal has a long tradition – dating back to the Roman Empire and over the course of its 900 years of independence – of mining different minerals on its territory, with varying importance in certain historical periods. Having lithium reserves allows their exploitation particularly in the broader context of the Green Energy Transition that we are facing in Europe and worldwide. That should, of course, be carried out properly, in compliance with the highest safety standards and the best scientific techniques currently available, in order to preserve nature and respect the environment that’s essential for our lives, for present and future generations, while taking into consideration the genuine and reasonable concerns of everyone involved, especially local populations.
According to media reports from 2021, the Portuguese government was then considering withdrawing from one of its two lithium projects and ending its cooperation with a company involved in mining in Serbia. Brussels-based portal Politico reported that the “Montalegre” project had been suspended due to “a lack of professionalism” and concerns among citizens and local authorities that this mining would destroy nature and prevent people from farming. What is the current status of that project?
— That’s not accurate and doesn’t reflect the current reality. Raw materials are a priority for the Portuguese Government, in line with the European Critical Raw Materials Act. Lithium is one of the critical and strategic raw materials listed in this European Regulation on Critical Raw Materials, so, if lithium reserves are valuable, it could be expected that interest in these projects in Portugal should continue normally and progress further, in accordance with Portuguese legislation. The Portuguese Government is currently monitoring the development of this project, namely through the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology, the Portuguese Environment Agency and other bodies, in order to ensure best practices, the due satisfying of economic, environmental and social responsibilities, defending public interest, the legality of the process in its different phases, and ensuring that decisions consider all relevant environmental and socioeconomic issues, involving and listening to local populations, holding those engaged in mining activity responsible and accountable.
| COOPERATION The renewable energy sector, where we have quite significant knowhow, could be of interest, as well as the field of urban and rural environmental water management and treatment | LITHIUM If lithium reserves are valuable, it could be expected that interest in these projects in Portugal should continue normally and progress further | EUROPEAN COUNCIL We are very proud and honoured that Mr António Costa will bring his vast experience and vision to the Presidency of the European Council |
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