Welcome to the Official page of the Presidency of the Portuguese Republic

Mister President, Excellency
Mrs. Yushchenko
Honourable Authorities
Ilustrious guests,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome Your Excellency on your first Official Visit to Portugal, which I regard as a very important contribution for the strengthening of the relations between our two countries.

Portugal was one of the first countries to recognize the Ukraine, following the referendum in which the Ukrainian people asserted its wish to become an independent and democratic State.

In January 1992, when I held the office of Prime Minister, Portugal established diplomatic relations with the Ukraine, a moment that I cherish and that stamped the first Portuguese Presidency of the European Union.

The way to Democracy is made of perseverance and determination. A true example of this is Your Excellency’s role in the building and consolidation of a Democratic Ukraine. The courage and capacity for leadership which you showed must serve as an inspiration to all who fight for the values of Democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights.

Mister President,

The signing, on the occasion of Your Excellency’s visit, of a Memorandum of Understanding concerning the relations between both our countries, as well as Cooperation Agreements in the areas of Defence and of the fight against organized crime, well show the dynamism and the interest with which Portugal and the Ukraine face their relationship.

The Ukraine is a country with strategic importance within an area of enormous potential, and has experienced, in the last few years, relevant economic growth rates. Its having recently joined the World Trade Organization is the recognition of the ambitious reforms which are under development, with a more open and competitive economy under view, as well as respect for international regulations.

In its turn, Portugal is going through a process of adjustment and a new development paradigm, based upon the qualification of its citizens, on the excellency of its products, on investment in technologically advanced sectors, on the diversification of its markets and on the internationalization of its enterprises.

I vow that the Economic Seminar which will be held tomorrow, included in the programme of Your Excellency’s Visit, Mister President, will allow the identification of new opportunities for business and investment, as well as in new areas of partnership between both our countries.

In this context, Mister President, I allow myself to underline the already well known quality of Portuguese enterprises in areas such as transport and public works, information technologies, renewable energies or food distribution.

The experience of Portugal and of our enterprises in the organization of the Soccer European Cup in 2004, is also a value which I equally allow myself to emphasize, when the Ukraine is making preparations, together with Poland, to organize the 2012 edition.

The ratification of the Cooperation Agreement in the Tourism Area and the Agreement on Air Transport will also facilitate the contacts between the Portuguese and the Ukrainians, easing the consolidation of relationships and an improved mutual knowledge of the social reality, of the rich landscape and cultural heritage of both countries.

Mister President,

I want to pay tribute to the contribution that the Ukrainians which have chosen Portugal to reside and work are providing for the social, economic and cultural progress of my country. Without forgetting their roots, their culture and their traditions, they have shown a notable capacity of integration, and are an undisputable added value and a strong bond between our countries.

The Ukraine knows that Portugal is a friend. This we have evidenced, within the framework of the European Union, specifically during our Presidencies in 2000 and in 2007, as well as within the scope of NATO, in the recent Bucharest Summit.

The process of reforms which are underway for the consolidation of the Rule of Law, of democracy, of stability in political institutions and conviviality with neighbouring countries which Your Excellency has initiated, is an example in the History of democratic transition. The Ukraine and the Ukrainians know that they can count on Portugal for the consolidation of such objectives, a very long and at times, difficult path, but essential to its economic and social development.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I ask you all to join me in a toast to the health of President Victor Yushchenko, of Mrs. Yushchenko, to the prosperity of the friendly People of the Ukraine and to the strengthening of the relations of friendship and cooperation between our two Countries..