The President of the Republic sent a congratulatory message to Dr. Manuel Pinto da Costa, upon his election as President of São Tomé and Príncipe.

ollowing is the text of the congratulatory message addressed by President Aníbal Cavaco Silva:

“Mister President and my Dear Friend,

At the moment when Your Excellency’s election to the Presidency of the People’s Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe is confirmed, I want to address you, on behalf of the People of Portugal and in my own personal name, our warmest congratulations and wishes for the greatest of success in the high duties you have been called upon to perform by the people of São Tomé and Príncipe.

The way these elections were carried out and their results show, once more, the deep civic spirit of the people of São Tomé and Príncipe, as well as their confidence in Your Excellency to continue carrying out the building of a prosperous and sovereign State, based upon democratic institutions and on the values of freedom and tolerance.

I am certain that, during Your Excellency’s mandate, the special bonds of friendship and cooperation that link our two countries and their peoples will find new opportunities to become ever more deeper and developed, both bilaterally and within the framework of CPLP. Your Excellency may count upon my personal drive for this to continue being so, convinced that a closer partnership between Portugal and São Tomé and Príncipe will be in the best interest of our countries and their peoples.

With renewed congratulations I beg you to accept, Mister President and my Dear Friend, my best wishes for your personal well being and for the prosperity and progress of the fraternal people of São Tomé and Príncipe.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva”