LISBON, Dec. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Portuguese Foreign Minister Diogo Freitas do Amaral on Monday voiced opposition to the European Union's long-term budget proposed by Britain.

    "In its current form, the proposal is very worrying," he told a news conference.

    "It reduces the capacity of the European Union to act, (and) itdoes not make the bloc more competitive, more modern, more cohesive and more present on the international stage," he said.

    In the new proposals, Britain, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, pledged to forgo 8 billion euros (9.4 billion US dollars) of its EU rebate in 2007-13 to help cover the cost of enlargement.

    In addition, funds for the new EU member states would be reduced by 7 percent to 8 percent.

    "With this proposal the richer nations win and poorer nations lose," said the foreign minister, adding that Portugal will await new proposals for the long-term budget. Enditem