Francisco César, the President of the Socialist Party/Azores and Member of Portugal’s Assembly of the Republic, was elected as President of the Portugal-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group (GPA) this Wednesday.

The Portugal-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group (GPA), is a body created to strengthen and consolidate bilateral relations between the two countries, by reinforcing cooperation ties at institutional, political, cultural, economic and social levels between the two countries.

With an activity plan that aims, among other initiatives, to establish regular contacts with the Embassies of both countries, as well as with the Counsellors of the Portuguese Communities and other bodies linked to Portuguese emigration in Canada, this body also intends to promote closer institutional ties by receiving Canadian parliamentary delegations in Lisbon and organizing meetings with Portuguese leaders of the communities in Canada.

In terms of cultural and scientific relations, the GPA group will promote participation in Canadian cultural events in Portugal and encourage the exchange of knowledge between scientific and academic associations from both countries.

With the economic area also being a priority, the Parliamentary Group intends to place special focus on the opportunities generated by the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and Canada, seeking to increase trade flows between the two countries.

As president of the GPA, Francisco César reiterated his commitment to continue developing “an agenda that reflects the interests and needs of the Portuguese communities in Canada”, as well as “to strengthen strategic relations between the two nations, promoting constant dialogue between institutions and citizens”.

Source: Press Release | PS/Açores