Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa spoke before the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, during a meeting with representatives of the Portuguese community, at the Portuguese Reading Room of Pernambuco, in Recife.

“There was something written here, but I don’t know if the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs authorises me to say it, but I think it was approved. I was told here that there is an idea to create seven more consulates, five of which will be in Brazil,” declared the head of state.

Addressing Paulo Rangel, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa asked: “Can I say it or is it better not to say it?”

The President of the Republic interpreted the minister's response as a “so-so” and continued: “And, eventually, one in Recife.”

The Head of State considered that his words were in line with “institutional cooperation” and said he was convinced that “this was discussed in Parliament”.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa arrived in Recife on Sunday, for an official visit to Brazil, at the invitation of President Lula da Silva, who will receive him on Tuesday at the Planalto Palace, in Brasília.

On behalf of the Government, he is accompanied by the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel. As this is not a state visit according to the classification of the Presidency of the Portuguese Republic, the delegation does not include MPs.