President of the Campania Region,
President of the Mediterraneo Foundation
Authorities
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to express my thanks for the distinction with which the Mediterraneo Foundation has seen fit to honour me by awarding the 2009 Mediterraneo Instituzione Prize, as well as for the kind words I was addressed.

Allow me to start by rendering fair tribute to the Mediterraneo Foundation. The Mediterraneo Foundation has, throughout the last few years, performed an essential role in the dialogue and cooperation between the two shores of the Mediterranean, and this has received the recognition of the European Union. While promoting the approach amongst diversified people and cultural realities, the actions of the Foundation have brought an enormously relevant contribution to the peace, stability and economic and social development we all desire for this region.

This stance is that with which I identify myself and which I have tried to imprint on my political actions.

Portugal, as a result of its History and its geographic situation, has often performed the role of bridge between peoples and cultures. It is my opinion that this vocation must be present especially in our more immediate neighbourhood, as is the case with the Mediterranean. It is essential to promote this notion of belonging to a same area, whose richness is greatly owed to the diversified cultures that are intrinsic to it.

Institutional support for the Mediterranean dialogue is not lacking. The Union for the Mediterranean is the more recent example. Portugal is firmly pledged to the success of the Union for the Mediterranean and sincerely hopes that it will be possible to overcome the difficulties that have been hindering the progress of its operations.

Let it be perfectly clear, however, that political and institutional construction will be of no value if dialogue does not reach our people, if our people do not feel as real perpetrators of this dialogue. It is for this reason that the role of organizations with the objectives of the Mediterraneo Foundation is fundamental and it is for this reason that their actions must be constantly supported and accompanied by the political leaders.

I regard this Prize as a signal of recognition which greatly honours me, but also as an encouragement. The Mediterraneo Foundation can count on my endeavour for a policy of approximation and dialogue between the two shores of this Sea which we must view as a connecting link. Because I firmly believe that this is the only way to guarantee a future of well being and development which is the right of the coming generations, whatever shore of the Mediterranean they may live in.

Thank you very much