LISBON, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Antonio Costa on Wednesday encouraged all industries to restart under strict conditions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Lusa News Agency reported.
After their joint visit to automotive assembly plant Autoeuropa, the two leaders expressed their confidence in the resumption of production of the car producer.
After a six-week break, Autoeuropa, the largest national exporter last year, resumed its car production last week with two shifts.
Rebelo de Sousa expressed thanks to the Portuguese-German joint venture for its excellence and contribution to Portugal.
"We hope that the example of Autoeuropa will be an example that can be used across Europe as well. Here is the example of collaboration between Germany and Portugal. European level must be an example of the collaboration of all who form the European Union," the president was quoted by Lusa as saying.
The president extended his thanks to all those in industry, agriculture, commerce and services who "know how to overcome difficult times and build a better Portugal", and to all those who at this time "are working across the country, without fear, without anguish, without anxiety."
Costa announced that the Presidency of the Council of Ministers will soon buy a car in each of the four units that produce vehicles from scratch in Portugal, displaying a sign of confidence in the industry.
"Returning the sign of confidence that the car industry has shown in the country, we would also like to give a sign of confidence in what is the future of the car industry in Portugal," the prime minister was quoted as saying.
Costa also highlighted the importance of the automobile industry for the national economy, saying that, among suppliers and producers, it represents "an important part of the national GDP."
Meanwhile, the two leaders called for more coordinated efforts in the EU to restore the economy at the European level.
Rebelo de Sousa reiterated that the EU must respond with solidarity and affirming the values that were at the basis of the European project in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lusa reported.
Costa echoed, saying "The EU's response cannot be tailored to each country, it must be the same response for all countries."
