Portuguese president receives phone call from Trump on pandemic

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

LISBON, May 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has called his Portuguese counterpart Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, praising the country's efforts in controlling the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement from the website of the Portuguese Presidency on Friday.

Trump also offered "any help that was considered useful and necessary," said the statement.

Trump highlighted the participation of Portuguese researchers in scientific tests carried out in the United States to develop a drug against COVID-19, it said.

The Portugese president stressed the importance of "international cooperation to face common challenges" and the importance to learn the lessons taught in the fight against the pandemic, it noted, adding that the two also talked about issues of mutual interest, in particular of an economic nature, as well as the international situation.

This Saturday Portugal will end the state of emergency with relaxation of some isolation measures as well as the reactivation of the economy.

As of Friday, Portugal has reported 1,007 deaths and 25,351 cases of coronavirus infections, according to health authorities.