Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva has said his country and China are close to reaching agreement on Portugal taking part in the Chinese Belt and Road initiative, Lusa reports.

The Portuguese news agency quotes Mr Santos Silva as stressing the Portuguese interest in the Belt and Road scheme covering the port of Sines, where the container terminal is due to be expanded.

Mr Santos Silva, speaking in Macao, earlier announced that Portugal and Macao had reached agreement on co-operation on economic matters, education, and science and technology.

The agreement entails the setting-up this year of a joint fund for science and technology projects, and a greater presence for Portuguese companies in Macao, Lusa quotes the minister as saying.