Upon the decease of the former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, the President of the Republic sent a message of condolences to his widow, Naina Yeltsina, and to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin.

Following is the text of the message sent by President Cavaco Silva to Naina Yeltsina:

"It was a great shock to receive the grievous news of the decease of your Husband and former President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Boris Yeltsin.

In this hour of mourning I wish to extend to you, and to all your family, on behalf of the Portuguese people and in my own personal name, our heartfelt condolences.

Boris Yeltsin will be remembered by all as a politician with great determination and initiative, as well as an unceasing and historical defender of Democracy in Russia. I was privileged to have maintained personal and political relations with him which I well remember and that established the bases of today’s relationship between Portugal and Russia.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva"


Following is the text of the message sent to the President of the Russian Federation:

"Mr. President

I was greatly shocked to receive the news of the decease of the former President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Boris Yeltsin.

In this hour of mourning I wish to extend to your Excellency and to the people of Russia, on behalf of the people of Portugal and in my own personal name, our sincere condolences and heartfelt regrets.

Boris Yeltsin will be remembered by all as a politician with great determination and initiative, as well as an unceasing defender of Democracy in Russia. I well recall the personal and political cooperation I maintained with him whilst Prime Minister of Portugal, which resulted in the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, signed in 1994, and which, until now, governs the relations between our two countries.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva"