05/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - According to the Portuguese weekly Expresso, centre-right government sources under Prime Minister Barroso have pointed out that the government is willing to support the candidature of the Portuguese Commissioner, Antonio Vitorino, as president of the European Commission. "If a Portuguese national is able to hold the Commission presidency", then we shall support him, the government states. (The Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner has, among other things, served as MEP and Defence Minister). Also, Greek Defence Minister Iannos Papantoniou told the daily Ta Nea not to rule out the possibility that Prime Minister Costas Simitis may apply for the post, or for another key European function.