Writing in an opinion article in Público newspaper, headlined "A turning point for Portugal: building the future based on confidence”, Mário Centeno said "We must define policies that promote growth and convergence with Europe, as a European support mechanism for unemployment that can allocate financial resources according to the economic cycle and keeping an eye on convergence. We can share successes and risks in a balanced fashion, sharing benefits and responsibilities", he added.

Following Portugal’s exit from the Excessive Deficit Procedure, the minister said that “the Portuguese and all of Europe should be proud of what Portugal has managed after a difficult adjustment period”.

The minister went on to say that “Portugal has a balanced, sustainable budgetary situation, in a context of economic growth that ensures a continued reduction in public debt as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from now on”.

Mário Centeno remembered that Portugal “is part of one of the biggest economic areas in the world” and that the “euro area is painfully recovering from the recession due to a lack of investment and demand”.