The President of the Republic addressed a message of congratulations to the President elect of the Republic of Angola, José Eduardo dos Santos.

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

“On the occasion of the general elections of the Republic of Angola held on 31 August ultimo, I wish to express, on behalf of the people of Portugal and in my own personal name, our congratulations and best wishes for your success in the exercise of the eminent office you have been called upon to perform by the Angolan people.

The carrying out of the electoral process witnesses the civic spirit and democratic maturity of the Angolan people, who unequivocally expressed their confidence in Your Excellency to exercise the highest magistracy of Angola. Once again, the people of Angola showed their volition for the consolidation of peace and stability, indispensable factors for the country’s social and economic progress.

I am certain that, during Your Excellency’s mandate, the special bonds of friendship and cooperation that link our peoples and countries will find renewed opportunities to be strengthened and become deeper, both bilaterally and within the framework of CPLP, based upon the inestimable contribution of the large Portuguese community that lives and works in Angola, as well as in that of the Angolan community that lives and works in Portugal. Your Excellency can place your trust on my personal drive for this to be kept going, convinced as I am that the continued strengthening of the strategic partnership between Portugal and Angola corresponds to the expectations and the best interests of both our peoples and countries

Aníbal Cavaco Silva”