The President of the Republic sent congratulatory message to the President-elect of the United States of America, Barack Obama.

Following is the text of the message:

"Mister President-elect, 

On the occasion of the election of Your Excellency as President of the United States of America I wish to address you, on behalf of the People of Portugal and in my own personal name, our warmest congratulations, as well as our most sincere wishes for the exercise of the high office which you were so expressively called upon to fulfil by the people of North America.

I am firmly convinced that during the course of Your Excellency’s mandate, the bonds of friendship that link Portugal and the United States of America and the close cooperation which is a characteristic of our bilateral relationship, in the most diversified fields, will find new opportunities to become strengthened and enlarged. Please allow me also to underline, in this context, the role of the significant Portuguese and Luso-descendant community resident in the United States of America, a relevant link between our two countries.

I am certain that Your Excellency’s action will constitute a determining contribution for the necessary coordination of international efforts required by the challenges which the world is facing. Only in this way will we be able to overcome the issues placed before us and take advantage of the opportunities which we are offered.

Renewing my congratulation, I beg you to accept, Mister President-elect, my sincere wishes for Your Excellency’s personal happiness and for the prosperity and progress of the friendly people of the United States of America.  

Aníbal Cavaco Silva"