The President of the Republic addressed a message of condolences to the President of the Republic of Cape Verde, Jorge Carlos Fonseca, upon the passing away of the former President of the Republic of Cape Verde, Aristides Pereira.

Following is the text of the message of condolences addressed by President Aníbal Cavaco Silva:

“Mr. President and Dear Friend,

I received with great dismay the sad news of the passing away of Aristides Pereira, a major figure in the History of Cape Verde.

Leader of a generation and first President of the Republic of the young Cape Verde nation, Aristides Pereira was a Man with deep convictions, who always kept in the centre of his concerns the economic and social progress of his People.

In this hour of mourning, I wish to address Your Excellency and to all the People of Cape Verde, on behalf of the People of Portugal and in my own personal name, our most sincere condolences, and beg you, Mister President, to equally transmit our deepest regrets to the bereaved family.

Anibal Cavaco Silva”