The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs celebrated Portugal Day in Paris

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pedro Duarte was in Paris on Tuesday to celebrate the Day of Portugal, Camoes and the Portuguese Communities, where he proudly emphasized the importance of these communities.

“There is no better place to be on a day like today than in Paris,” the minister said in a statement to Luse during an event at the Portuguese Embassy, ​​adding that he was “very proud, on the one hand, to be able to represent the Portuguese government at this moment and, on the other hand, we are recognized for the exemplary work of our communities.”

France was a place where the Portuguese community played “a very important role and managed to integrate in such an effective and constructive way” thanks to “the common will of those who receive and those who actually seek opportunities.” He said .

According to Pedro Duarte, this is “a simple tribute that the Portuguese government also wants to pay to all these Portuguese people scattered around the world and, in fact, building our Portugal today.”

According to the Portuguese Ambassador in Paris, José Augusto Duarte, the Portuguese diaspora is of great importance in France, as it is the largest foreign community in France, numbering 1,200 citizens.

This year’s celebrations, organized by the Portuguese Ambassador in Paris, were postponed due to the European elections, which took place from June 6 to 9, making it impossible to hold the event closer to June 10.

In response to Lusa’s question about the work of the consulates, which has caused some complaints from the public, the minister said that the government intends to develop a new migration policy.

“We feel that we really need the efforts and support of our consular structures, which are, I would say, the first line in the processes that we want to implement in Portugal, to create new rules for a better reception of emigrants and, in this sense, we will strengthen the consular network from a global perspective,” said Pedro Duarte.

Regarding the issues raised during the elections by Portuguese residents abroad, the minister credited previous governments with a “gradual process” to address shortcomings.

“In these European elections we are going to try out a new model, the so-called mobility vote, which we apply on the national territory as well as in our communities,” the minister said, adding that he hopes that in the near future, problems which are “unfair to those outside the country and which are ultimately not healthy from a democratic point of view.”

During a reception at the Portuguese Embassy in Paris, which brought together more than 300 guests of different nationalities, the anthems of France and Portugal, as well as a poem by Luis de Camões, were performed to the sounds of a piano and Portuguese guitar performed by Portuguese artists.

During the celebration of Portugal Day, Camões and the Portuguese communities, the Ambassador also usually pays tribute to the Portuguese people each year for their work and importance to society.

This year, José Augusto Duarte mentioned a Portuguese woman, Antonia, 71, who came to France at the age of 20 and is today a “talented businesswoman recognized throughout society” whose “lifestyle is inspiring.”

“We need these everyday, everyday heroes, people who have been doing this their whole lives and who are not recognized in the same way, not knowing that their lives are full of heroism,” the ambassador said, noting that “these are people who deserve recognition.” for the work and sacrifices that give credit to the Portuguese community.

Before the reception at the embassy, ​​the minister’s visit included the laying of a wreath of flowers at the bust of Camões in Paris, and then at the Livraria Lusófona Chandeigne and the temporary exhibition hall of Amadeo de Souza-Cardozo and Sonia and Robert. Delaunay, Center Georges Pompidou.