Portugal

Bilateral relationship

Direct contact between New Zealand and Portugal has over recent years focused on Timor Leste, where a considerable amount of warmth has been generated. Both countries have a commitment to supporting the reconstruction and development of Timor Leste and are working together to achieve these aims.

Portugal has been generally supportive of New Zealand's concerns on EU trade access issues. Bilateral trade is small, but evenly balanced. On human rights, environment and oceans issues, there is some policy complimentarity.

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Key facts

Geography/Demographics

Land Area - 92,142 sq km (Portuguese Government)
Population - 10.61 million (2007 estimate)
Capital City  - Lisbon
Language  - Portuguese

Political

Political system - Parliamentary democracy
National government - Centre-left coalition government
National legislature - Unicameral parliament
Last election - September 2009
Next election due - by September 2013
Head of State - President Anibal Cavaco Silva (since 9 March 2006)
Head of Government - Prime Minister Jose Socrates (since 12 March 2005)

Economic (2009)

GDP - Euro 128.3 billion
Real GDP growth - 2.8%
Exports - US$42.5 billion
Imports - US$56.1 billion
Main exports - Transport goods, machinery, clothing, shoes
Current account deficit US$21.1 billion
Inflation - -0.9%
Unemployment - 10.4%
Budget Balance - -9.3% (of GDP)

New Zealand Trade (2009)

NZ Exports (FOB) - NZ$35.9 million
Main exports - Sheepmeat, beef, fish, wool
NZ Imports (CIF) - NZ$20.2 million
Main imports - Cork, electrical machinery, footwear, glassware

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Visits

New Zealand Ministerial Visits to Portugal

• Rt Hon Winston Peters - Minister of Foreign Affairs, September 2007
• Hon Annette King - Minister of Transport, June 2007
• Rt Hon Helen Clark - Prime Minister, April 2007
• Hon Phil Goff - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, May 2000
• Hon Simon Upton - Minister of the Environment and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, March 1998
• Rt Hon Don McKinnon - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, February 1992

Portuguese Ministerial Visits to New Zealand

• Joaquim Pina Moura - Minister of Economy, May 1998
• Jaime Gama - Minister of Foreign Affairs, February 1998

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Representation

• The New Zealand Ambassador in Rome is currently accredited to Portugal, and a New Zealand Honorary Consul resident in Lisbon was appointed in February 2005
• Portugal is represented in New Zealand by its Embassy in Canberra, and by honorary consulates in Wellington and Auckland

Travel advice

The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Portugal [external link].

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