The President of the Republic addressed a message of condolences to the Family of Commander Fernando Mendonça, who was an officer of AGROS, of FENALAC and of CONFAGRI (Portuguese National Confederation of Agricultural Cooperative Societies and Agricultural Credit).

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

"The passing away of Commander Fernando Mendonça represents a grievous loss for the agricultural and agro-food cooperative movement, to national agriculture and to the country.

Throughout many decades, Commander Fernando Mendonça was a respected and outstanding officer of AGROS, FENALAC and CONFAGRI, organizations to which he consecrated an important part of his life, with great enthusiasm and dedication, contributing decisively for their development and assertion as veritable supports of the national agricultural cooperative movement.

His enterprising character, his intelligence, his critical sense, courage and example mustered the organization of many thousands of farmers and rendered the country relevant services, often given outstanding recognition by the nation’s highest representatives.

To his Family and to the agricultural organizations he directed I express, with sadness, my deepest condolences.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva"