Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, speaking to journalists during a summary of his official visit to São Tomé and Príncipe for the 50th independence anniversary celebrations, emphasized that “Portugal was prominently present” at this historic event, with representation from both the Government and the Assembly of the Republic.
On this occasion, he announced that “the Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe [Américo Ramos] will meet the Prime Minister of Portugal [Luís Montenegro] within days, before the summer holidays, precisely because it is important to see how we can assist with São Tomé and Príncipe’s financial plan”.
Regarding the independence celebrations, he noted that he was “the only head of state present” and was accompanied by the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ana Isabel Xavier, and deputies from the seven parliamentary groups in the Assembly of the Republic: PSD, Chega, PS, IL, Livre, PCP, and CDS-PP.
“This did not happen with anyone else,” highlighted the President of the Republic.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stated that during the visit, “the spectacular relationship” between the Portuguese community residing in this country and the people of São Tomé was evident, “and the interrelationship at all levels, in all existing domains.”
The head of state emphasized cooperation “in education, health, economic development, business life, and social components.”
“It could not have gone better, that is the assessment. Not that it hasn’t gone very well in other countries, but here it was impossible to go better,” he considered.
This morning, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and the rest of the Portuguese delegation attended the Central Act of the 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations of São Tomé and Príncipe, at the Independence Square in the center of the country’s capital.
At the end of the ceremony, in brief statements to journalists, the Portuguese head of state celebrated this day of “great joy for everyone, for São Tomé and Príncipe, for these 50 exceptional years,” and also “great joy for Portugal.”
“And now it is another 50 years, another 50, another hundred, another thousand. They deserve everything,” he added.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa arrived in São Tomé on Friday and will return to Portugal on Sunday.
São Tomé and Príncipe gained independence on July 12, 1975, after five centuries of Portuguese colonial rule.
