"It is an old alliance, the oldest [diplomatic] alliance in the world, and in the parliamentary expression, it is possible to do more, in order to exchange experiences, strengthen relations between parliamentarians, so that stronger synergies can be created with regard to knowledge," he told Lusa news agency.

Aguiar-Branco believes that exchanges with other parliaments allow for "ministers with better knowledge of the issues, with better knowledge of international policies, with better knowledge of what is happening in relation to the countries with which Portugal has bilateral relations," reinforcing "the dimension of knowledge that Portuguese parliamentarians can have to make decisions."

The President of the Portuguese Assembly of the Republic will make an official visit to the British Parliament today at the invitation of his counterpart, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle.

The parliamentary delegation includes the Chairman of the National Defence Committee, Deputy Pedro Pessanha, the Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Portuguese Communities Committee, Deputy Elza Pais, and the Vice-Chairman of the European Affairs Committee, Deputy Ricardo Carvalho.

"I am very hopeful that this visit will signify a different step in the quality of the relationship between the Portuguese Parliament and the British Parliament," he told Lusa.