Highness

I was deeply moved by the news of the passing away of the ex-President of the European Commission, Gaston Thorn.

In this moment of regrets, I wish to address Your Excellency, on behalf of the people of Portugal and in my own personal name, our very deepest condolences.

As President of the European Commission from 1981 to 1985, Gaston Thorn, a convinced European and a man of great vision, knew how to provide the project for the integration with the tools that permitted its evolution towards what is the European Union in our days.

At this time, I also pay tribute to Gaston Thorn’s determining role in all the process that led to the adhesion of Portugal to the then European Economic Community.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva