Your Excellencies, the Ambassadors,
Heads of Mission,

I would like to begin by thanking His Excellency the Most Reverend Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See, for his kind words and good wishes offered on behalf of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Portugal.

I would also like to wish you all, and your families, a happy 2009, and ask you to convey my heartfelt wishes for peace and prosperity to your Heads of State.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This is a time of great challenges for which an effective response cannot be given without a concerted action at international level. A concerted effort by respected, representative multilateral institutions, capable of ensuring respect for commitments that have been collectively assumed.

The past year has highlighted the inadequacies and fragilities of the current international structures of coordination, decision and supervision. Therefore, changes in our collective governance cannot be postponed.

First, the United Nations must be reformed. The year that has ended marked the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which we celebrated by adopting the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, of which Portugal was one of the promoters and which confers to the economic, social and cultural rights the same dignity as civic and political rights. This important step should inspire us to build an international system focused on the respect for the inalienable rights of every human being.

We must acknowledge that without a representation closer to the reality and balances of today, the United Nations will tend to see its legitimacy increasingly called into question.

Portugal is and will remain committed to strengthen effective multilateralism. Nonetheless, we understand that it will be difficult for us to tackle the huge problems that are afflicting the world unless billions of citizens find a voice in the structures of global governance.

It is not acceptable that the African continent, Latin America and other emerging nations are still not represented among the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. As the current times show, it is imperative that the multilateral structures adapt to the emergence of new centres of international leadership and become more representative, cohesive and efficient.

The candidacy of Portugal to a non-permanent member seat on the Security Council for the 2011-12 biennium should be considered in the light of the principles and values of the United Nations, which we have long defended and that are enshrined in the Portuguese Constitution.

We present our candidacy also in the name of the equitable representation of all the countries on the Security Council, since we believe that this is the best way to ensure the sense of fairness which is essential for decisions to be accepted by everyone.
 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

No-one can say for certain how long the international economic and financial crisis will last, nor predict the scale of its geostrategic implications.

But the crisis also offers a chance to carry out the necessary revision of the international financial architecture and to adapt it to today’s circumstances. A new financial architecture that is more representative, based on a more effective and transparent regulation and on a supervision that is better equipped to safeguard the interests of consumers, savers and investors, closer to the interests of the real economy rather than to financial speculation.

In the present context, our citizens need signs of confidence. The biggest mistake we could make would be to answer them by seeking solitary solutions, or by yielding to protectionist tendencies. A clear sign of confidence would be to swiftly conclude the Doha Round.

The possible impact of the economic and financial crisis in less developed countries is particularly worrying. It would be unacceptable if economies that could mobilise vast resources used the crisis as a pretext for delaying the fulfilment of the commitments taken under the Millennium Development Goals.

Building a world free of privation, poverty and pandemics is not just a moral and civilizational imperative: it is an essential tool for promoting peace and stability.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This crisis should not make us forget the other threats looming over our planet, which also require concerted, determined and responsible international action. This is the case of climate change, pollution and the devastation of our natural resources.

We have no right to jeopardise the future. A new model of development must be found, based on carbon reduction and a crucial investment in clean technologies, renewable energies and energy efficiency. Portugal fully supports the decisions of the European Union on this issue. If Europe wants its voice to be heard, it must be able to set the example.

Another critical challenge of our times is the fight against terrorism and the extremism that nourishes it. They know no boundaries, they do not respect values, peoples or religions and they are a serious obstacle to the construction of a fairer and safer world. Once again, only resolute cooperation, efficient sharing of information and stronger and more effective multilateral institutions will help us to win this battle.

But fighting extremism implies, as well, a commitment to dialogue between peoples and civilisations, to preventive diplomacy and to the resolution of conflicts.

In this context I must express my great concern with the current situation in the Gaza Strip and its serious humanitarian implications. It is now absolutely crucial that this conflict give way to a permanent ceasefire, which will allow aid to be provided to those who need it, and set the conditions for a fruitful political dialogue. It is essential for the parties to have the courage to take decisions that will ensure both the Israelis and the Palestinians the future of peace, economic and social development to which they are entitled.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Portugal believes that the world needs now, more than ever, a European Union that can take a leading role in addressing the great challenges of the 21st century.

The European Union can and must boost its global influence. Therefore, Europe has to be at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation, the defence of human rights, environmental protection, the development agenda, the promotion of dialogue among peoples and civilisations, preventive diplomacy, the struggle against terrorism and the defence of the primacy of international law.

This will be a critical year for the European Union. A year of renewal for its institutions, primarily through the elections to the European Parliament. A year when I sincerely hope consensus on the Lisbon Treaty will be possible, thus strengthening Europe's ability to meet the yearnings of its citizens, and the expectations of the rest of the world.

One lesson we can draw from this international crisis is the advantage of European integration and the importance for the world to rely on the voice, the collective weight and the leadership of Europe at a time of hardship. I am sure that the Czech Presidency of the European Union, and the Swedish Presidency that will follow, will know how to continue to enhance the European project.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

2009 will be a year when Portuguese diplomacy will be particularly committed to the Presidency of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), whose priority is the promotion and international affirmation of the Portuguese language.

This is known as well to be a priority of my term in office. A priority shared by the Heads of State and Government of the eight countries of CPLP and confirmed at a meeting I organised on the margins of the last United Nations General Assembly. We have decided to work together to see the Portuguese language – the world’s fifth mostly widely spoken language and the third most international one in the EU – recognised as an official language of the United Nations, a status that has long been justified.

I would like to extend a special greeting to the three CPLP nations – Angola, Guiné-Bissau and Mozambique – which saw their democratic systems consolidated last year, with the holding of elections. These elections merited a very positive overall assessment by the international community.

In 2009 Portugal will continue to chair the Community of Democracies, making every effort to see that the values of democracy and human rights are increasingly, universally shared.

At the end of the year Portugal will also host the XIX Ibero-American Summit, under the theme “Innovation and the New Technologies”. I am sure that the Estoril Summit will be another significant stage towards the deepening of the political dialogue and cooperation within the community of Ibero-American peoples.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I believe that by acting together and responsibly we will be able to overcome the uncertainties of the present and make 2009 a cornerstone in the setting the foundations for a new era of global prosperity. This is my wish for 2009.

I wish all of you and your families an excellent 2009.