“In a meeting, at the Ministry of Environment and Energy, in Lisbon, the two government officials agreed on a decision principle on specific situations in the water sector, such as water intake in Pomarão, in Mértola, and the management of the ecological flows of the Tagus River ”, reads the Government statement. The understanding translates to the “principle of equity in terms of the volumes of water captured”, on both sides of the border. “In the case of the ecological flows of the Tagus, the basis on which we are working is the defense of the Tagus ecosystems, seeking to find a constant balance that allows us to avoid the advancement of the so-called 'saline wedge' in this river”, explained Maria da Graça Carvalho.

In a statement, the Minister of the Environment reinforced that “both cases require technical solutions, which are still being discussed between the competent authorities of both countries – the Portuguese Environment Agency, from Portugal, and the Direccíon General de Aguas, from Spain". The closing of the agreement between the two ministers is expected at the next meeting, scheduled for September 26, in Madrid.

Energy

Another topic discussed at the meeting was energy. The meeting reached a consensus on the creation of a joint working group that will have the mission of applying the new rules of the European Electricity Market to the Iberian Market.

“Portugal and Spain will also work together, in contacts with France and European institutions, so that electrical and hydrogen interconnections are also a European issue and not just an issue for the Iberian Peninsula”, they explain in a statement.

Maria da Graça Carvalho and Teresa Ribera also highlighted the fact that the Iberian lynx has recently stopped being considered an “endangered” species, as a result of cooperation between Portugal and Spain. “Taking into account the recent approval of the Restoration Law by the European Council, Maria da Graça Carvalho announced that a common dialogue will take place in the construction of environmental restoration plans in both countries”, she said.