India thanks Portugal for support at UN on non-violence

New Delhi, June 12 (UNI) Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma called on the Portuguese President Prof Anibal Cavaco Silva at Belem Palace in Lisbon and thanked him for Portuguese support for co-sponsoring the Resolution to declare October 2 as the International Day of Non-Violence by the UN.

Besides bilateral relations, matters relating to economic cooperation in the energy sector with emphasis on renewable energy were discussed, the Foreign Office here said today.

Portugal's role in reinforcing India-EU relations during the Portuguese Presidency of EU was also discussed.

Mr Sharma's June 10-12 visit assumes greater importance in view of the fact that Portugal will take over the Presidency of the EU on July 1 and during its Presidency, the 8th India-EU Summit will take place in India.

The Minister also met Portuguese Foreign Minister Dr Luis Amado and Portuguese Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Prof Joao Cravinho and had wide ranging discussions on issues of mutual interest including the forthcoming India-EU Summit which is to be held in New Delhi on November 30.

He also delivered a public lecture at the prestigious Orient Foundation in Lisbon on 'India in the 21st Century'.

UNI