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

Ambassadors,
Heads of Mission,

I would like to begin by expressing my thanks for the words and wishes for a Happy New Year addressed to me by His Excellency the Most Reverend Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See, on behalf of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Lisbon. I would like to ask all of you to convey my best wishes to your Heads of State for a peaceful and prosperous year.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Globalisation, of which Portugal was a pioneer and which characterises our modern world, is not merely of an economic nature. The repercussions of war and conflict, poverty, disease, inequality, the violation of fundamental rights, terrorism and environmental destruction disregard borders and constitute serious threats to the creation of a better world as we all desire. Faced with this reality, we must harmonise the increasingly urgent need for global answers with the multifaceted nature of States and their specific interests, a demanding task that assigns a central role to diplomatic activity.

Climate change, the implications of poverty and social exclusion, terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction are global threats that require, in addition to national policies, close cooperation between States. The way in which we approach them shall determine our present and our future.

This is what we are told by the recent progress report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which was very rightly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. We—States, businesses and citizens—must be able to respond to the challenge of decarbonising our model of development by focusing on clean technologies, renewable energies and energy efficiency.

In this context, it is fundamental that international negotiations on the climate regime beyond 2012, recently begun in Bali by the United Nations, be characterised by ambition and haste. The Planet cannot wait as long for a post-2012 regime agreement as it did for the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol.

Poverty and social exclusion, inasmuch as they create pockets of desperation and isolation, constitute another threat to peace and stability. True economic and social progress can only be made when it is inclusive. First and foremost, States are responsible for ensuring the well-being and dignity of their citizens. As regards Portugal, the importance that I have placed on this matter is well known. In a globalised world, however, the efforts of each one of us must be supported by cooperation between States. As I stated in my speech given at the plenary session of the European Parliament in September, the need for this cooperation is felt even in more fortunate areas such as the European Union.

One of the most dangerous consequences arising from the creation of these pockets of exclusion is terrorism, which is so often nourished by feelings of humiliation. That is why, to be effective, cooperation between States in the fight against this threat entails the sharing of intelligence and the determined pursuit of those who support or perpetrate terrorist acts. However, it also requires the promotion of conflict resolution, mutual understanding, cooperation between peoples and nations and actions to combat poverty and social exclusion.

Terrorism is a threat that hangs over all civilisations and, ultimately, over the civilisation to which we all belong, this civilisation that shares the same planet. Its increasing degree of sophistication underlines the importance of international cooperation in the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The greater the spread of this type of weapons and the weaker its monitoring, the greater the risk to peace and stability.

It is urgent that we place value on the authority of the International Organisations and Fora responsible for meeting the requirements that the States themselves have imposed on this area. It is in the interest of the States that want to be respected to provide all the guarantees that are asked of them, under the terms of the commitments to which they subscribed.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Portugal believes that the world in which we live requires a European Union that is stronger, more cohesive and more credible in the international scene. It was with that motto that the country assumed, on 1 July 2007, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Because I understood that we were faced with a responsibility that should be adopted as a national endeavour, I convened the Council of State before the beginning of the Presidency, seeking to contribute to an alliance of efforts centred on a particularly demanding task. In this way, the Presidency was able to be exercised domestically within a context of calm and confidence as determined by the best interests of the country and required by its ambitious agenda.

I will not go through the entire list of results achieved. I would like, however, to highlight the significance of the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon in the year that the European Union commemorated its 50th anniversary, a sign of its ability to overcome difficulties. It is an instrument of the utmost importance in affirming a Union that is more efficient and better able to respond to the concerns of its citizens.
To squander the opportunity represented by the Treaty of Lisbon would come at an extremely high cost for Europe.

Significant advances were also made in the policies advocated by the Lisbon Strategy, as well as in new areas of joint intervention such as energy and the oceans and seas.

The results of the summits and meetings that took place, and which you followed with particularly keen interest, made it possible to strengthen the influence and credibility of the Union as an international actor.

Finally, the recent opening of the borders of the Schengen Area to the new Member-States constitutes an extremely important step towards the consolidation of a sense of belonging and common destiny.

I would like to wish every success for the Slovenian Presidency, the first to be held by one of the new Member-States. Portugal came to consider its presence in the European context with greater confidence following its first Presidency in 1992, which I had the privilege of leading when I was then Prime Minister. I am sure that the same will happen with Slovenia.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Throughout its history, Portugal has created an extensive network of relationships on the five continents, an extraordinary legacy of which we are extremely proud. In Washington this past year, I had the opportunity to inaugurate a magnificent exhibition whose title, “Portugal: Encompassing the Globe”, is a particularly fine illustration of this reality.

In 2007 and as part of my activity aimed at contributing towards a greater role for Portugal on the international stage, I travelled to India on a State Visit and to Chile on an official visit, accompanied by important business delegations who were given hundreds of contacts with local entrepreneurs.

In the case of India, our relationship has changed significantly after just one year, as evidenced by the creation of important partnerships between Indian and Portuguese entrepreneurs, some at an international level, particularly in the field of energy. As regards Chile, there are encouraging signs that we are moving in the same direction.

I also presided over the Portuguese delegation that participated in the Ibero-American Summit in Santiago, whose final declaration is a testament to the importance of the results achieved not only with regard to the issue under discussion, that of “Social Cohesion”, but also in such diverse areas of cooperation as student exchanges or joint projects in science and technology. “Science and Technology” will in fact be the theme of the Ibero-American Summit that will take place in Portugal in 2009.

It was also my great pleasure to receive in Lisbon, apart from the many who wished to participate in activities related to the Presidency, the Heads of State of Lithuania, Uruguay, Russia and East Timor, as well as the President of the Republic of Ghana and acting President of the African Union. Although these meetings and visits had different purposes, all of them allowed me to gather important indicators regarding some of the main issues on the international agenda and the desire to strengthen ties with Portugal.

Allow me to draw special attention to the visit made by President Ramos Horta from East Timor, a nation with whom Portugal has a particularly close relationship and whose efforts in development and peacemaking deserve the support of the entire international community.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As you know, I have been paying very special attention to Portuguese communities abroad. In 2007 I visited the Portuguese community in Luxembourg, with whom I marked the first year of my mandate, and the Portuguese communities on the East Coast of the United States of America. On both visits, I confirmed not only their integration in the societies of the countries that welcome them, but also their desire to maintain their roots, valuing Portuguese culture and language. This is an aim with strategic value that deserves the full support and encouragement of the Portuguese authorities.

These are Portuguese people who have left in search of a better life, accepting risks and believing in their abilities. They have not given up. This is the determination and spirit that I want for all Portuguese citizens, in the conviction that together, we will know how to create a better country. I am well aware that the credibility of Portugal abroad begins with what we do in our own home.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This was a particularly demanding year. On this occasion, I would like to thank all of you for your fundamental contribution to making possible many of the results achieved. To all of you and your families, I wish you an excellent 2008.