London's FTSE 100 index of top shares climbed 0.35 percent to 6,035.02 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 added 0.25 percent to 6,958.84 points and the Paris CAC 40 won 0.23 percent to stand at 3,870.79.

Portugal on Wednesday makes its 2011 debut on the long-term debt market, but it may not be its last as reported aggressive intervention on the markets by the European Central Bank might help it escape a bailout.

Portugal has been beset by speculation that its eurozone peers want it to accept a bailout so as to avert a wider crisis that could drag down others, including neighbour Spain, after Greece and Ireland sought help in 2010.