Durão Barroso addresses Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK

The ex-president of the European Commission, José Manuel Durão Barroso, said last week that the European Union’s resilience during the banking and sovereign debt crises was greater than people had imagined and used the example of Greece to show its strength and unity.

Speaking at a gala dinner organised by the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK at which he addressed business leaders involved in bi-lateral trade between the two countries, Durão Barroso pointed out that Greece could have become Europe’s Venezula had it not been for the Euro and the intervention of the European Central Bank and Troika.

Durão Barroso also said that he sincerely believed that a united and strong European Union would be a force for good in the world.

The non-executive Chairman of Goldman Sachs International and former Social Democratic Party leader and prime minister of Portugal spoke about the UK-Portugal relationship, challenges facing the European Union and its role in the future of Brexit at its annual London Gala Dinner on 9 October.

While he said Britain’s decision to leave the EU was a mistake, he respected and accepted the decision of the British people in the 2016 referendum.

Durão Barroso also said that he believed a deal would be struck between the EU and UK which would reflect the fact that both are each others most important trading partners.

On 31 October the chamber will be holding its 6th edition of the Moving to Portugal Show & Seminar in London.

The Moving to Portugal Show & Seminars are designed to answer all the questions potential movers may have about organising their move, — whether intending to run their own business from there, invest, retire or simply spend several months of the year in Portugal to escape the English climate.

Alongside the seminars will be some carefully chosen members of the Chamber who will give visitors the opportunity to ask about any potential move to Portugal.

Exhibitors will include estate agents from all regions of Portugal so visitors can see the different property options available, and representatives from some of Portugal’s best established resorts and golf courses.