Marcelo in solidarity with politics and “unstoppable journey” of João Lourenço

The Portuguese head of state, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, today declared himself in solidarity with the policy and the “unstoppable journey” of the Angolan President, João Lourenço, and considered that “an essential page was turned” in Portuguese-Angolan relations.

[dropcap type=”background”]I[/dropcap]n a farewell speech, on the penultimate day of the State visit to Angola, during a reception offered to João Lourenço and his wife, Ana Dias Lourenço, in a hotel in Luanda, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa declared that he will return to Portugal ” homesickness and solidarity. ”

“With solidarity and solidarity, with your national endeavor, with your policy, Mr. President, with this unstoppable journey, legitimately aiming to convert the founder’s dream revered in the Agostinho Neto Memorial into a regional, continental and affirmed power in the world,” he added.

The Portuguese President reinforced the idea that a “new cycle” had been introduced in bilateral relations: “The diplomats here will understand that an essential page has been turned around and that a new chapter of our common history has been opened, thinking about the future.”

According to Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in this “new cycle” there is a “privileged partnership” also at the multilateral level, in organizations such as the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) or the United Nations.

The Portuguese head of state thanked him for the way he was welcomed in Angola, said that he will never forget this visit and above all contact with the population, “the truth of the embrace, the kiss, the look, the word of a number of Angolans who love Portugal and countless Portuguese who love Angola. ”

In his opinion, “this was worth and worth even more than six months of toil around 35 agreements, debt certifications, investment incentives, cooperation in education, health, social security, public administration, local power, justice and defense. ”

“Because it is the peoples, and only they, the raison d’être of political powers, of politicians – not self-love, not vanity, not convenience, not the ambition of those who, serving the States, serve only the peoples “he argued.

Speaking to João Lourenço, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa reiterated that what touched him most on this visit “was the encounter with people, each and every one, starting with the simplest, the most direct, the most frontal, the most earthly -the land “.

“I could see what I have remembered so many times: it is very possible for those who have the power to be angry – which is not and will not be the case – that the strength of what unites us all resists because it is based on an indestructible fraternity,” he said.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa made this state visit to Angola about three months after he received in Portugal, also on a state visit, the Angolan President, João Lourenço, who took office in September 2017, after 38 years with José Eduardo dos Santos. Saints in power.

In an emotional record, the head of state expressed “anticipated disappointments” these days in Angola, where he is since Tuesday and where he will leave on Saturday. “I will not forget it,” he repeated.

“I will not forget the friendship of the invitation, the decoration, the careful reception,” he said, recalling the various points of the program, divided between the Angolan capital and the provinces of Benguela and Huíla to the south.

“I will not forget the two hours of continuous crowds in Lubango, which is the automobile, or the train trip between Lobito and Benguela, or the welcoming reception in Catumbela, or the night walks on the Luanda or Lobito coast, listening, learning , giving and receiving, “he continued.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also mentioned “the enthusiasm of the elders to shake with Porto or Benfica in European competitions” and “the example of the Angolan Formula 3 driver, 19, who competes with the Angolan and Portuguese flags in the European championships , he who also has Portuguese nationality“.

“Here, then, Mr. President, because I am a longing, very homesick, of these days that even reminded me of Casa Catonho Tonho, created by my grandfather in central Luanda more than a hundred years ago,” he explained, observing: “The roots end for marking our destiny. ”

On this International Women’s Day, a holiday in Angola, the Portuguese head of state paid tribute “to all Angolan women, fighters, conquerors, queens, workers, resisters, pillars of an innovative nation to recreate their future“, which earned her a round of applause.

At the end of the speech, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa greeted “the portentous saga” of Angola.

“I thank Angola, the Angolan people, I thank our brother people, but I also thank your Excellency, Mr President, for the generosity with which they have welcomed me and that I will never forget in my life,” he concluded.

Portuguese and Angolan heads of state and the other guests of this reception attended the musical performances of the Angolan singers Kyaku Kyadaff, a native of the province of Zaire in northern Angola, and Yola Semedo of Lobito and the Portuguese fadista Gisela João.