SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on a visit by Portugal’s prime minister to California (all times local):
11:45 a.m.
Portugal has officially joined an international coalition led by California Gov. Jerry Brown to fight global warming by reducing carbon emissions.
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa signed the agreement Thursday after meeting with Brown at the Capitol. That followed a speech before the state Senate.
Two Portuguese regions were already part of the “Under2 Coalition” and now the entire nation is part of the pact.
Costa says “global challenges require global efforts.”
Brown says the agreement makes the two governments’ bond stronger.
Members of the coalition have agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by 2050.
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9:30 a.m.
Portugal’s prime minister and other officials are visiting the California state Senate to boost ties between the two governments.
Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins said Thursday that California has the largest population of Portuguese Americans, at more than 300,000 people. She says California and Portugal are signing a memorandum of understanding on clean energy. Its details weren’t immediately available.
Two Portuguese regions have already signed onto an international commitment to reduce carbon emissions helmed by Gov. Jerry Brown.
Atkins is praising Prime Minister Antonio Costa for resisting the rise of “radical nationalist parties” seen in other parts of Europe.
He says he wants California companies to see Portugal as a good place to do business because it is “open to the world, peaceful and stable.”
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