Portuguese PM condemns Brussels attacks

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa condemned Brussels attacks on Tuesday which killed and injured dozens of people, while highlighting the importance of combating terrorism.

"This fight against terrorism is a combat which has to mobilize us all," he told journalists at the start of a visit in the Lavradores market in Funchal, Madeira, during his first official trip to the Autonomous Region of Portugal, adding that it required an "increasingly strong institutional cooperation."

He also said that fighting terrorism also requires "promoting intercultural dialogue and a profound intervention in the outskirts, in many critical neighborhoods."

According to media reports, at least 26 people were killed and 136 injured in the explosions at the airport and on a city subway train in Brussels.

Portuguese media reported that a 30-year-old Portuguese woman was injured at the Maalbeek station, but had received assistance at hospital and was now at home.

Costa also pointed out that there were no plans to step up security in Portugal unless the ministers of internal affairs and justice deemed necessary.

However, all flights between Lisbon and Brussels were cancelled on Tuesday following the explosions.

Portugal's Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) said that measures have been taken to strengthen passenger control at domestic airports although the alert level remains unchanged.

A friendly football match between Belgium and Portugal which was scheduled for March 29 has also been suspended. Endit