The Macao SAR Government and Portugal signed several protocols to strengthen cooperation in the areas of energy, environmental protection and cadastre.

The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Ao Man Long, Thursday (12 September) signed an energy protocol with the Assistant Secretary of State to the Minister for Economics, Dulce Franco.

Mr. Ao said that the authorities would study the feasibility of importing different sources of energy to Macao in order to meet the needs for future development. He believed the signed protocol would help to promote cooperation with Portugal in terms of energy sources.

During the visit, Mr. Ao had discussed city planning and environmental protection with the Minister for Towns, Territorial Planning and Environment, Isaltino Morais. He added that the protocol which was signed between Macao and Portugal on 11 September would help to reinforce cooperation in the areas of environmental protection and cadastre.

Mr. Ao met with the Minister for Science and Higher Education, Pedro Lynce, on Tuesday (10 September). He mentioned the importance of Eureka in facilitating cooperation between China, Portugal and Macao. Mr. Ao said that by using the Eureka project, Macao could act as a platform for small-to-medium sized Portuguese technology companies in order to access the markets of China.

Eureka project, which was launched in 1985, has already changed the face of pan-European cooperative research and development. It is a framework through which industry and research institutes from 31 countries and the European Union develop and exploit the technologies crucial to global competitiveness and a better quality of life. At present, approximately 3000 European enterprises and research units participating in the Eureka projects.