"Every time Portugal needs collaboration and help from Spain, it will have it," said Spanish Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido after a meeting with the Portuguese Minister of Internal Affairs, Eduardo Cabrita, at the Portuguese embassy in Madrid.

The Spanish ministerl added that in Spain's aircraft planning already "takes into account possible collaboration with Portugal."

For his part, the Portuguese minister stressed that Lisbon is "doing everything to make this year totally different from the tragic year of 2017."

The two government officials reviewed bilateral cooperation in the areas of Civil Protection and police cooperation.

Cabrita announced that "this year a summit," will be held in Portugal, most likely in the "Setúbal area," with the two ministers to address issues of cooperation in this area between the two countries.

In a ceremony Cabrita, awarded 18 senior officials and officers of the Spanish Civil Guard and National Police who worked with Portugal in the fight against organized crime.

"The award represents Portugal's thanksl for the excellent collaboration between the security forces of Portugal and Spain," said Cabrita at the end of the ceremony.

The trip to Madrid by the Minister of Internal Administration is due to end on Friday afternoon with a visit to the headquarters of Spain's Directorate General of Civil Protection and Emergencies.