Welcome to the page of the State Visit to Australia

I would like to thank you for your words, Your Excellency, Ms. Governor-General.

I would also like to express the great pleasure that my wife and I have in being in Australia, this land that is such a remarkable example of dynamism and modernity.

Notwithstanding the great geographical distance between Portugal and Australia, the ties that bind our two countries go back a long time, as there are reports of the Portuguese presence in Australia since the 16th century.

In the 1970s many Portuguese emigrated to Australia, in search of a better future and to participate in the construction of this nation.

Today, the Portuguese Community in Australia, which I will meet tomorrow in Sydney, comprises around 50 thousand people. It is an active and well integrated community which may be instrumental in the reinforcement of our bilateral relations.

Ms Governor-General,

Australia and Portugal share common values and mutual interests.

In the regional framework, we share the same vision about East Timor, recognising the young nation as a case of success. Our two countries are the most important donors in Timor and the complementarity of our cooperation projects can only bring improved results to benefit the people of Timor.

Also within the framework of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) there are opportunities for cooperation that should be seized. I welcome the appointment of an Australian Special Envoy to that Community.

In fact, regarding the language, I would like to leave here a word of appreciation to the Australian authorities for the support given to private educational institutions where the Portuguese language is taught.

The Portuguese language, the third European language in the world, is spoken by more than 250 million people, spread across five Continents.

Ms Governor-General,

Our bilateral economic and trade relations are modest and there is still much to be done. However, we find examples of Portuguese enterprises that are successful in Australia. We should be paying attention to new opportunities, especially those involving partnerships, in regions and markets where Australian and Portuguese enterprises are present.

The European Union, a political area to which Portugal belongs, is not only one of Australia’s major political allies, but also its biggest trade partner and the main source of foreign investment.

Ms Governor-General,

I can assure you that Portugal will make every endeavour to strengthen all ties of cooperation and friendship between our two countries.

And on behalf of this ambition, the future relationship between Portugal and Australia, I ask you to join me in a toast to the health of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to the Governor-General, to the People of Australia and to the prosperous relations between Portugal and Australia.

Thank you.