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

I thank you for the friendly words that have just been addressed to Portugal and to myself, which I take as a sign of the deep friendship that links our peoples and countries.

I feel particularly stirred by the presence of His Majesty King Dom Juan Carlos in this ceremony, that well shows his consideration and affection for Portugal and which Your Majesty knows is fully reciprocated.

I also want to express how much I am honoured by the presence of my dear friend and President of the Republic of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, who receives, on behalf of his country, the 2012 Nueva Economía Fórum Prize.

Majesty,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with great honour and pleasure that, on behalf of my fellow citizens, I accept the award to Portugal of the 2011 Nueva Economía Fórum Prize.

The satisfaction with which I receive this prize is fully justified by its prestige and by the very important causes it has rewarded. However, on this occasion, I must make known my special pride for the reasons that led this Prize being attributed to Portugal.

In the words of its promoters, the prize celebrates the recognition of the historical ties that link Portugal with Spain and the friendship that bonds the respective civil societies, but also the steps that both countries have taken in the process of European integration and the economical and social advances obtained in the latter decades.

I feel that these words aptly summarize some of the most relevant features of our recent living experience.

Firstly, the processes of the deep political economic, social and cultural changes occurred in Portugal and Spain throughout approximately three decades were not just mutually influent, but also contributed towards a greater approach between our countries and peoples, bringing about a substantial interchange in fields such as the economy, culture and science.

The narrowing of the bonds between Portugal and Spain, since joining the European Union, and the results achieved bear witness to the generalized understanding of the gains resulting from these and even from the simple nature of this interactive process.

Our countries’ citizens are nowadays linked by modern means of communication, intense relations of cooperation in the most diverse fields and by a strong cross border economic and cultural dynamism.

Spain is today the most important economy for Portugal, and Portugal occupies an outstanding place amongst Spain’s economic partners.

Portugal and Spain have now become rightful members of the developed economies, with a marked and prestigious presence in the midst of the international community.

This scenario would certainly not be possible without the democratization of our societies or even without the integration in the European area.

But if, within the economic environment, the progress achieved since the eighties of last century until now has been notable and exemplary, it is also my conviction that it is still far from fulfilling all its potential.

I believe this to be true both in the field of cooperation between our enterprises in order to take full advantage from our participation in the European market and particularly, through the historical and cultural links we have with other continents.

And it is worth while underlining the role that Portugal and Spain are performing in the European framework. The simultaneous adhesion of Portugal and Spain to the European Communities, in 1986, was a token for both countries and for Europe. I do not forget, Mister President Napolitano, it was under the Italian presidency that the negotiations for the adhesion of Portugal and Spain were successfully concluded.

European integration was one of the main triggers for Portugal’s economic and social development in the 80s and 90s. And it was also due to European integration that Portugal and Spain rediscovered their existence as partners and allies.

It must also be recalled that Portugal and Spain did not limit themselves to harvest the benefits of adhesion. They greatly contributed, in these 25 years, towards the deepening and consolidation of the European project and to the external assertion of the European Union. The universality of Portuguese culture is an asset that has brought added value to Europe’s worldwide projection, as shown, for instance, in the strengthening of cooperation with Brazil and with the African continent. The unique role of our countries in relations with Latin America is also universally recognized.

The concept of economic and social cohesion, a pillar of European construction, which we must not allow to become a secondary item, resulted mainly from the convergence of Spanish and Portuguese guidance in the negotiations both of the European Single Act and of the Treaty of Maastricht.

On another hand, this is equally the time to recall that Portugal and Spain were always at the front of European integration. This was the case with the materialization of the great European internal market, which was achieved 20 years ago. This was also the case with Schengen, when Portugal and Spain comprised the first group of seven countries that initiated the free circulation of people, in 1993, a step of unarguable historical dimension, and a fundamental pillar for a real European citizenship. Ant it was equally the case with the Economic and Monetary Union, with Spain and Portugal integrating the nucleus of the founders of the euro area.

The internal market, the euro and the free circulation of people are, let us not forget, the major markers of European construction, courageously promoted by two generations of Europeans. To place such strides in question is to place at issue the Union of Europe.

And it should now be underlined that Portugal and Spain have been exemplary European partners both as regards responsibility and solidarity. I assert this with the conviction of having witnessed it directly, both as Prime Minister and as President of the Republic, throughout a fair portion of the half century which our two Countries have already pursued.

Nowadays, however, we are facing a particularly difficult crisis, which is testing not just our Countries but also the European Union. It is now quite clear that the current crisis cannot be overcome only with the individual efforts of each State. It calls for a coherent and effective European answer. It calls for an unflinching co-responsibility of European States and institutions.

It is imperative that the European Union knows how to defend the euro, and strengthen the Economic and Monetary Union, in order to prevent crises and to act with support policies and measures towards economic growth and employment.

In order to preserve the euro, reconstructing the markets’ confidence, the European central Bank must fully assume the role that belongs to a central bank of a Monetary Union. The European Central Bank must be the “lender of last resource”, which is the most powerful dissuader of the speculation that has victimized the sovereign debt markets of countries such as ours. To ensure the integrity of the euro zone monetary policy and to prevent the reversibility of the European single currency cannot but be the permanent responsibility of the European Central Bank.

The Economic and Monetary Union must be redrafted to be provided with means and tools equal to the challenges it faces, by materializing at an early stage the decisions already taken regarding this issue.

It is imperative to deepen the path leading towards a Budgetary Union, accompanied however by means of solidarity. A European economic government is a desirable target, but must be construed with democratic legitimacy, with transparency and in line with the community method. An economic government that brings about greater intergovernmental intervention or the leadership of any directorate is totally unacceptable.

The Banking Union is, of course, an objective to be pursued but, in addition to its becoming a unique tool of banking supervision, it must also be accompanied by tools for resolving crises and by a common deposit guarantee fund.

This crisis that is challenging us will not be overcome without an effective European agenda for economic growth and creation of employment. The greater the responsibility that weighs upon States to carry out austerity policies that generate economic recession and social degradation, the greater the responsibility of the European Union to promote proactive policies to re-launch the economy, to encourage investment, competitiveness and employment. It is our duty to demand this response from the European Union.

Should the European Union persist with the policy of half measures, of advances and retreats, the peoples’ mistrust over the European project will continue seriously worsening. The responsibility of European leaders lies in the mustering of the people and in restoring their trust. European integration continues to be, let us not place it under any doubt, the right path to guarantee peace and prosperity. We must all endeavour, at every level, for it to follow through.

Majesty,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In spite of the difficulties with which we are currently faced, we must also have in mind the progress and economic development achieved by our countries in the last three decades, and that this Prize rightly intends to recognize.

For this reason, we have the responsibility to show our fellow citizens that we will be able to govern in order to honour our international commitments, to correct the unbalances that affect our economies, but simultaneously considering the need to create conditions to re-establish the path towards improvement of economic and social welfare. It is in this sense and with this in sight that we must all work.

I actively believe that our two countries will be able to overcome their current economic and financial crisis and that our democratic institutions will indeed be strengthened with this process.
Such as in our democratic transition, other countries in the international community will also have an important role to carry out. At this time, it is essential that our partners recognize the efforts of our respective governments and how responsibly our peoples have borne the sacrifices demanded from the.

I repeat that I believe this is a process in which we shall be successful, although it is necessary to more than ever preserve the expression of European solidarity that founded and cements the European project, and that both Portugal and Spain have always defended and practiced.

Notwithstanding the current turbulence, I believe in the capabilities of our politicians, economic and social agents and in the strength of our institutions, to build a better and fairer future.

Thank you very much