Majesty,
Dear Friend

On the occasion of Your Majesty’s 70th birthday, I am particularly pleased to convey, on behalf of the People of Portugal, in my own personal name and in that of my wife’s, our most sincere and warmest congratulations.

I have witnessed the special affection that Your Majesty has always nurtured for Portugal and the Portuguese and your deep endeavour in the continued tightening of the bonds linking our two countries. The extraordinary progress recorded in the relations between Portugal and Spain in latter years owe much to that affection and to the intimate knowledge of the Portuguese reality that Your Majesty has always shown.

On this justifiably exultant occasion for all the People of Spain, I allow myself to evince Your Majesty’s inestimable contribution towards the consolidation of democracy and for Spain’s worldwide prestige and projection, two prime factors which are at the base of the economic and social development enjoyed by the country today.

In the hope of seeing Your Majesty again soon, please accept, Dear Friend, my wishes for your personal well being, as well as that of Her Majesty Queen Sofia and all the Royal Family, as well as my highest regards and personal esteem.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva