Lisbon, Sept. 27 (Lusa) – Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world and, according to the Minister of Internal Administration, the security climate creates an environment conducive to attracting foreign investment and securing more residents from other European countries.

Constança Urbano de Sousa was the guest of a lunch organized by the Portuguese-Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Industry with businessmen, in which she spoke of the area of ​​security, fight against terrorism and transnational crime, increased flow of immigrants and refugees, investment increase in the number of residents and “good cooperation” between Portugal and Spain.

“Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world and since 2008 we have witnessed a very sustained and continuous decline in general crime, with a reduction between 2008 and 2016 of 21% less and violent and serious crime of 32% in this time period” , revealed the minister.

In the first half of the year, provisional data indicate that the downward trend continues in comparison with the same period of last year, in the order of 9%.

“The various international indexes rank us third as one of the safest countries in the world,” she said.

In Portugal there is a climate of security and public tranquility that has allowed, according to Constança Urbano de Sousa, the country’s economic development and investment, both of which have “an enormous added value in terms of competitiveness and economic and financial recovery.