The Portuguese government will make the decision on whether to set up embassies in Southeast Asia and the Gulf region by the end of 2009, Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado announced on Monday.
Upon finishing his tour to Russia, Central Asia and Egypt, Amado told Portugal's Lusa News Agency that Portugal was not well represented in some of the most dynamic economies of the world and it was too much dependent on the European market facing the world economic crisis.
Amado said Portugal must expand its diplomatic activities to those areas with which it had historical ties.
"It is necessary to make an effort to improve the representation of Portugal in the regions that nowadays are of great interest to the country. And already there is a consensus in the government about it," Amado said.
As to the diplomatic and political efforts that has been made in some regions, Amado said they have strengthened Portugal's economic ties with countries in northern Africa and the Gulf region.
According to Amado, economic talks were part of his visit to Central Asia, a region where the European Union saw strategic interests.