EC president congratulates Portuguese PM for reelection

President of the European Commission (EC) Jose Manuel Durao Barroso sent on Tuesday a congratulatory message to Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates for his reelection.

Barroso, who was Portuguese prime minister before taking charge in the EC, traveled on Sunday to Portugal to vote in the elections.

Barroso said on Tuesday that despite being from the Social-Democratic Party, the Portuguese opposition party, he will guarantee a "close and fruitful collaboration" with the future government of Portugal, which is from the Socialist Party.

"In my side, I can assure that the EC will keep with the future Portuguese government the close collaboration it has always existed, contributing to the progress and welfare of the Portuguese people," Barroso said.

"The recovery of the economy growth and the improvement of the social situation are important challenges which will demand us all a big capacity of action and concentration of positions," Barroso added.

He said Portugal "will know how to face this challenge with determination, consolidating its position of trustful and influent collaborator in the European destinies."

Source: Xinhua