"I do not think that the Euro will be weakened, that is an illusion that gets talked about. The Eurozone has 19 countries, I hope that Greece does not leave, but if it does that still leaves 18," Cavaco Silva said on a business oriented tour of Paços de Ferreira.


"The Eurozone will survive with the same forces as it had in the past (…) as regards this, I have no doubt and it is better not to speculate," said the president before pointing to both the effort the Baltic states had put in to becoming Eurozone members and their satisfaction at having done so.


Cavaco Silva dodged a question asking him to recommend how the Greeks should vote adding “they are sovereign and shall decide their own path" but did comment on the calling of the referendum.


"However, that was a decision that surprised all of Europe. That is not understandable. And I would also say that I do not understand this game going forwards," said the president before pointing out that European taxpayers, including the Portuguese, had already loaned Greece over €200 billion.