Cape Verde's Prime Minister Jose Maria Neves has said that the priority of the new government in coming months will be to push for closer ties with the European Union and the establishment of a special partnership with the bloc.

According to reports reaching here on Friday, speaking after the first cabinet meeting of his government, returned to power in legislative polls last month, Neves said he would take his ministers for back-to-back meetings with several EU governments some time in the next eight weeks in Luxembourg.

The meetings will include contacts with senior Portuguese and Spanish officials and will be used by Praia to "redefine the strategy aimed to create a special partnership with the EU," said Neves.

The European Parliament approved a motion last month that could pave the way for closer ties between Praia and the EU under the bloc's European Neighborhood Policy, said Neves.

Cape Verde wants its future relations with the EU to rest on three main pillars: economic growth, environmental conservation and security and stability, he explained. "We also want Cape Verde to be an increasingly secure country and for the Atlantic to become a corridor of peace."

Neves said, closer ties with the EU, the United States and NATO will contribute to "transform Cape Verde and this region into an area of peace and stability."

Source: Xinhua