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

Thank you, Madam Prime Minister. I am very touched by your kind words and the hospitality that has been extended to me and my wife.

It is with great pleasure that I visit this country. Despite the geographical distance, the ties between Portugal and Norway date back to the eleventh century. Connected by history, by the sea, and by the fishing industry, Portugal was one of the first countries to recognize the Kingdom of Norway as a sovereign state, when it declared its independence in 1905.

The affinity between Portugal and Norway, two countries with a maritime history and tradition, and with extensive coastlines, is a factor in bringing together our two peoples. This bond has been strengthened as NATO allies, as former partners in EFTA and, today, as countries belonging to the European Economic Area and sharing common values. I recall with satisfaction the signing of the European Economic Area Agreement, which took place in Porto in May 1992, during the Portuguese Presidency, when I held office as Prime Minister.

Allow me a word of recognition and respect for the role of your country at the international level, first and foremost through its work for the prevention and resolution of conflicts. The annual awards ceremony of the Nobel Peace Prize, which takes place in this city, is a symbol of this commitment.

In spite of the longstanding ties of friendship and good political understanding that exist between Norway and Portugal, I think it is possible to do much more, and far better, with regard to the bilateral relationship between our two countries.

This is, as we all know, a time of great challenges for our countries, both domestically and at the European and international level.

After three particularly difficult years, Portugal has corrected its macroeconomic imbalances, regained full access to markets, and its economy has shifted into a path of job creation and growth. We have also implemented an ambitious and demanding programme of structural reforms to increase the flexibility of our economy, which is today more competitive, sustainable and integrated into the global economy.

Madam Prime Minister,

My visit is closely related to the maritime agenda, with particular attention to scientific and technological research and to biotechnology, areas in which Norway has made substantial progress and Portugal has abundant resources.

Today, at the Research Council of Norway, I took part in a Seminar on cooperation between Portugal and Norway in the area of Science and Technology, and witnessed the signature of a letter of intent and a Memorandum of Understanding between our two countries. I will also visit Bergen, where a number of initiatives are proposed in connection with the maritime agenda.
Economic, business and investment issues, particularly in the energy field, will equally be in evidence during this visit.

I have brought with me an important scientific and business delegation, with the aim of strengthening cooperation and identifying new opportunities for understanding between the Portuguese and Norwegian scientific and business communities. The excellence of political relations between Norway and Portugal does inspire us to be ambitious in stepping up our cooperation and building up strategic partnerships.

Madam Prime Minister,

During my visit, two particular initiatives connected with Portuguese culture are taking place. The first, which concerns architecture, is the opening of an exhibition of the Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira in the National Museum of Architecture and the second, in Bergen, touches upon our national folk music, Fado.

I am eager to see more and more Norwegian citizens visiting my country, getting to know the culture of Portugal, its gastronomy, its wines, its music. There is so much to discover and enjoy in Portugal.

Madam Prime Minister,

I am convinced that Norway and Portugal will continue to value the friendship that unites them and commit to a future of even greater cooperation, in both the bilateral and international fields.

It is in this spirit that I ask all of you to join me in a toast to Your Excellency’s health, to our friends the people of Norway, and to the future of relations between our two countries.