Portugal’s prime minister Antonio Costa stated that the energy link still exists but lacks the necessary infrastructure. He is counting on an agreement with Spain to finalize the 162 kilometer stretch and on a collaboration with France, which remains cautious about the project known as MidCat.
Costa noted that 162 kilometers remain to reach the border. He spoke in the Portuguese Assembly before a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Council of Europe headquarters in Brussels.
He underlined how Spain serves as a bridge to the broader European network, countering claims of indifference. According to the Lusa agency, Costa’s response framed Portugal’s future if no agreement with France is reached and highlighted that the issue is of concern to many European nations. He argued that the project would bring benefits to a wide range of countries, not only to Spain and Portugal.
Costa had already shared his optimism at the close of a recent session with the European Socialist Party in Berlin. He told reporters that negotiations were progressing well and that an interconnection agreement would be reached soon under a name other than MidCat. His remarks reflected a belief that diplomatic advances were moving in a positive direction.
Last Friday, Costa met in Berlin with Sanchez and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to discuss the MidCat proposal. The plan envisions a gas pipeline linking the Iberian Peninsula with the rest of the European Union. Costa indicated that Berlin showed support for the idea while Paris remained wary, and he conceded that the immediate resolution of the matter would not be available in the short term.