Good evening,

In the year just ended, Portugal was faced with a reality that was already foreseeable on the horizon.

As from the 2nd half of 2010 nobody could deny that the country was going through a grievous economic and financial situation, with negative social consequences.

What was already in evidence to some, to those who in due time warned the Portuguese, has finally been recognized by all, starting with the political decision takers.

Not deluding reality is a positive sign and a responsible attitude, since it is the first step to change course and correct the trodden path.

The year of 2010 witnessed the centenary of the Republic and the 25th anniversary of our adhesion to the European Communities.

The Republic, democracy and integration in the European Union are strategic options that Portugal took in the 20th century. And these were surrounded by great national consensus.

The republican regime is fully consolidated after 100 years of existence.

On another hand, it is in democracy that we all aspire to live and nobody wants to go back to the age of dictatorship.

Finally, nobody with any sense may query the correctness of the option we took when taking part in the European project and in the single currency, the euro.

A democratic Republic fully integrated in the European Union corresponds to the synthesis of what we are and what we want to be in the dawn of this new millennium.

The times we are going through are surrounded by great difficulties. I would be avoiding the truth by asserting that these difficulties will disappear in the year which is now starting.

Portugal has today more than 600 thousand people out of work. Unemployment is penalizing the younger people more. Along with this we are witnessing poverty growing to intolerable levels.

It is especially in the more adverse times that sacrifices have to be shared fairly amongst all, without exceptions or privileges.

In the face of situations of poverty and exclusion, the intent to dodge sacrifices is an attitude that is not consistent with either the most elementary principles of republican ethics or with the fundamental value of national cohesion.

Social cohesion is a key issue of national cohesion. It is absolutely necessary that we stand united to face the difficulties that are challenging us and which, I repeat, will not disappear in 2011.

The Portuguese showed, throughout 2010, that they recognize the value of cohesion and solidarity.

The Country was affected by natural disasters, in Madeira, in the Azores, on the Continent. Aid campaigns were immediately generated for the families and citizens struck by such calamitous situations.

Exemplary also is how the Portuguese took part in the campaigns launched by the civil society to gather food and products of prime necessity.

To the institutions of social solidarity and to those who were singled out in voluntary work, especially the young volunteers I want, as President of the Republic, to leave a word of great appreciation.

Such generous people give us all the more reason to hope and be confident.

It is for all these reasons that I consider essential that 2011 is marked by firmness in the fight against unemployment and poverty.

I am certain we will be able to win.

We have lived in this land for many hundreds of years. Our History is filled with moments that are as difficult as these or even more so. For several decades we even lost our independence, but we knew how to get it back.

We have been through very grievous financial situations and today, as we all must recognize, we have a better life than all of those generations that preceded us.

Portugal is, currently, a fairer country, more developed and freer than it was throughout all its History.

And it is exactly because of this, because we have the capability of overcoming the current difficulties, that we have to unite.

We cannot leave behind those that have greater needs: the young that are searching for jobs, the long standing unemployed, the needier aged people, those that suffer poverty and exclusion, the children at risk, the families that face destitution.

The fight for these Portuguese not to be abandoned is nobody’s monopoly because it is everybody’s responsibility.

As I have been long insisting, the way to our future must be very clearly based on the increase of production and services that compete with foreign production, in reinforcing the competitiveness of our companies and in the reduction of our foreign indebtedness.

To all Portuguese, to both those that live in the country and those that live abroad, I wish for a 2011 of work and peace, a year made of hope.

To all Portuguese, I wish a Happy New Year

Good evening.