During the final stop of his official visit to Japan, which followed a visit to China, Luís Montenegro attended the Expo Osaka and in an impromptu speech shared his reflections.
“I found myself thinking that we have given so many reasons for the world to regard Portugal (…); it’s worthwhile for us to ask ourselves whether we are doing what we should every day to promote what is beneficial, or if, on the contrary, we waste immense time on issues that count for nothing, or count at least for very little,” he stated.
When asked by journalists to elaborate if he believes there is “too much politicking,” he responded, “I’ll be very direct: there is, there is.”
“If we look at our conversations with each other, the political debate and dialogue between parties… Or what, for example, is the lineup of newscasts, newspapers, or radio news. If we make an evaluation, let’s ask ourselves: is this all we have to say regarding what we are capable of doing and achieving? Is there more? Is there more to highlight?” he questioned.
He issued a warning that he has reiterated several times in Portugal: “If we excessively distract ourselves by focusing on what is insignificant, we will not be able to reach the future we desire, which is a future of leadership, a future of conquest, a future of well-being, and a future of social justice,” he said.
“It is the responsibility of those in power to sometimes go a little against the tide, but it is to overcome the tide. Or rather, it is to take advantage of the tide and reach a destination that initially might seem unattainable,” he remarked, linking this to the central theme of the Portugal Pavilion at Expo Osaka, which is the oceans.
