ANKARA, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado Monday said here that Portugal would continue to support Turkey's bid for the European Union (EU).

    Amado told a joint press conference after talks with his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan that Portugal favors Turkish-EU relations and does its best to support Turkey's bid for EU.

    The top Portuguese diplomat said his current visit aims at boosting relations between the two countries.

    Amado also highlighted Turkey's role in the Middle East region, saying Turkey has the responsibility to restore peace and stability in the region.

    For his part, Babacan said Turkey would continue to make reforms regarding its EU bid. He said over 20 bills about EU reforms pending at the parliament will be enacted when the parliament recess is over on Oct. 1.

    Babacan also described relations between Turkey and Portugal as perfect, saying "bilateral relations are fostered within the scope of NATO, Mediterranean, and EU process."

    "Turkey and Portugal share common values like democracy, fundamental rights and freedoms, free market economy and supremacy of law," Babacan added.