The President of the Republic sent King Juan Carlos I of Spain a message of condolences upon the passing away of Spanish politician Manuel Fraga Iribarne.

Following is the text of the message sent by President Aníbal Cavaco Silva:

“Majesty,

It was with deep regret that I received the sad news, this morning, of the passing away of Don Manuel Fraga Iribarne, whose dedication to the public cause will remain an example and a source of inspiration in the particularly demanding moments we are going through.

Spain is losing a major figure of its recent History, to whom it owes a focal role in the consolidation of the democratic regime.

In its turn, Portugal witnesses the departure of a good and loyal friend, who always placed his drive towards deepening the relations between both countries. Not the least fair example of this is the extraordinary legacy he bequeathed us concerning the development of the cross border cooperation between his naive Galicia and the north of Portugal.

In this hour of mourning I equally longingly recall the friend whose qualities I so greatly admired.

I wish to address Your Majesty, on behalf of the People of Portugal and in my own personal name, our heartfelt condolences and to beg you to forward to the bereaved family our very deepest regrets.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva”