The President of the Republic addressed a message of condolences to the President of Turkey, Abdullah Gul, over the victims of the earthquake that struck the Turkish province of Van.

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

Mister President,

It was with the deepest concern that I learned the news of the tragic consequences of the earthquake that struck the Province of Van, in South-eastern Turkey.

In this moment of suffering and mourning, my thoughts and those of the people of Portugal lie with the People of Turkey and with the families of those that suffered irreparable damages, to which we beg Your Excellency to transmit our most sincere condolences and feelings of solidarity and friendship.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva