Welcome to the page of the State Visit to Germany

My wife, my committee and myself feel deeply touched by the presence here in Osnabrück today of fellow citizens from the Portuguese community living in Germany.

Let me start by highlighting the presence amongst us of the President of the European Parliament, my friend Hans-Gert Pöttering. He was the first to suggest I visit this city and he was absolutely right, because our experience here has been memorable.

These were special moments that he provided for, but which we also owe to the magnificent hospitality of the Burgomaster and authorities of Osnabrück. I take this opportunity to publicly thank them. The way in which they received the Portuguese Chief of State reflects their appreciation and admiration for Portuguese emigrants in Germany. So in thanking them I am also expressing my gratitude to you, the Portuguese people of Germany.

In the past two years I celebrated the anniversaries of my term as President of the Republic of Portugal in the company of Portuguese citizens living abroad, namely in Luxemburg and Brazil. This year, albeit three days in advance, I wished to celebrate my third year in office in the company of Portuguese emigrants living in Germany.

This is a gesture of my respect and admiration for all Portuguese citizens and their descendents living abroad. Furthermore, I wish to highlight before all of our fellow citizens the contribution that Portuguese emigrants have made to our identity as one People. Portugal is all of us who love our Country and give our best for it. Some of the best examples of love and dedication to our Country come from the Portuguese people living and working abroad.

During my travels to other countries I have had the opportunity to witness how the Portuguese communities are fully integrated in their host societies. The Portuguese community in Germany is no exception; they are indeed an inspiration to all of us.

In this great country Germany, as in all parts of the World, we find numerous success stories of Portuguese citizens who have excelled in several fields, ranging from entrepreneurial life to the academic world, cultural life to scientific research, civic commitment to liberal professions. These success stories are a stimulus and reason for all of us to be proud of.

The success of social integration also depends largely on the level of participation in the civic life of the host countries. I hereby wish to give you a word of encouragement towards the enhancement of your involvement in these societies. Such involvement fosters better integration and protection of the interests of the Portuguese communities.

Dear fellow citizens,

The World is currently experiencing an economic and financial crisis, which has hit us all and particularly hard our Country. I am well aware that the crisis has also affected some Portuguese citizens and their descendents living in Germany. I wish to let them know that my thoughts are with them. I am following this situation attentively and please know that I will do everything within my power to minimise these effects. During the meetings I held throughout this State Visit to Germany I heard many words of appreciation and consideration for the Portuguese community living here. I further witnessed the commitment and determination of the German authorities to win over the ordeals they are facing.

I leave you with a word of hope and encouragement to not give up to the current adversities. I am convinced that with the commitment and solidarity of all we will be able to overcome these hard times and find the solutions for safeguarding the well-being and economic and social prosperity that we all aspire to.

Dear fellow citizens,

Once again I appeal to what I have called the ‘spirit of Portugueseness’, which unites and backs us, beyond the borders of our country to every corner of the World where there is a Portuguese citizen living. The spirit that is kept alive through our language and our culture.

I therefore ask of you to never lose this attachment to your Country of origin, the Country of your fathers and grandfathers, and that you continue speaking the language of Camões and identify yourselves with the feats of the Portuguese culture, which we all pride in.

Portugal must commit itself to teaching the Portuguese language abroad. It is a commitment to our Communities, whilst essential for the enhancement of the status of the Portuguese language worldwide, for the international recognition and projection of our Country.

Portuguese is a language spoken by more than 200 million people in the five corners of the World. It is the third most spoken European language in the World. We believe that it is time for it to be acknowledged and valued as a World language. The goal of internationally promoting the Portuguese language, which has united Portugal to the other Portuguese-speaking countries, cannot be just an effort of States and requires the engagement and actions of us all. I therefore count on your support for the fulfilment of this legitimate ambition to celebrate Portuguese as a truly World language. Use it whenever you can and encourage others to speak it as well.

Dear fellow citizens,

Today more than ever Portugal relies on the support of its Diaspora. We count on you to project our Country, and with your collaboration we will increase the export of Portuguese products and services and promote our land as a highly reputed tourist destination.

We count, furthermore, on the investments of all who have this capacity. We know that our emigrants have provided valuable input to the Portuguese economy. In these difficult times they have a leading role to play. The future of Portugal depends on all of us and I know Portugal can count on all of you.

But one thing is for sure: a Portugal that feels authorised to ask for the support of Portuguese citizens living abroad must also be capable of responding to the needs of such citizens and to do everything within its power to promote the ties with their Country. I have committed myself to doing everything within my power to help Portuguese citizens living abroad and their descendents to enhance their civic and political participation and to narrow ties with Portugal.

Please continue promoting Portugal, our language and culture, by fostering the international projection of our Country, its development and prosperity. I ask that you never forget Portugal, our land, your land, that land where it all began.

Thank you