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Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first scientific expedition to the “Selvagens” Islands, the President of the Republic will visit the Atlantic sub-archipelago at the southernmost tip of the national territory, in order to emphasize the importance of its scientific, environmental and strategic dimensions.

The trip will start on 18 July, will include a visit to Little “Selvagem”, boarding the oceanographic ship “Gago Coutinho” and staying overnight in Big “Selvagem”, from which President Cavaco Silva will leave early in the morning of July 19 on his return to Lisbon.

The relevance of the natural heritage of the “Selvagens” Islands in its several components, recognized by international organizations, will be stressed during the President’s visit, which will coincide with the presence of scientific and research missions in the waters of the sub-archipelago and which will be a further opportunity to emphasize the Sea as a national project.

In order to accompany the work being carried out by the scientific missions and to contact the heads of institutions that promote the sustained exploration of the Sea, the President of the Republic will hold meetings with the officers responsible for the “Selvagens” Islands Natural Reserve, who have dedicated themselves to the preservation of several species, the ecosystem and biodiversity.

During the visit, the President of the Republic will also receive reports of the activities developed within the scope of the Enlargement of the Portuguese Continental Platform and of the National Strategy for the Sea.