The presidents of Portugal and Cape Verde on Tuesday put to rest the specter of reparations and celebrated “excellent relations” with “no taboos” as they addressed a meeting with the Portuguese community in Praia.
Marcelo Rebelo de Souza described the reception in the archipelago as something “without any reservations. It’s more than just brotherhood, it’s complicity” that answers “some anxieties” that may exist about the past.
“I have a feeling we’re getting along better than last time. Cooperation has become better,” as well as “sharing and partnership between the two countries and governments is better,” he added after mentioning in the afternoon that reparations that Portugal owes to its former colonies are already being implemented through bilateral cooperation.
“I’m even worried because usually when everything goes at this level of perfection, we start to think: what could go wrong? But we couldn’t find anything,” said Marcelo Rebelo de Souza.
During a reception for the Portuguese community at the residence of the Portuguese Ambassador to Cape Verde, Marcelo then advised his colleague José Maria Neves to take on the protocol role usually reserved for the President of Portugal and speak last.
The head of state of Cape Verde referred to questions asked by journalists about Marcelo’s reparations statements, saying that “no topic is taboo in a democracy.”
“And between us, with the maturity that we already have, we can speak as people who understand each other,” he said after moving the topic to “serene” discussion for a day.
“There will be no storms in the future in terms of the debates we can have. Cape Verde and Portugal understand each other very well. The relationship is great, very mature. And from all our discussions, new lights may still emerge to build a new future.” “, He said.
José Maria Neves wants Portugal to “continue to be that beacon country” whose revolution “turned into carnations” and contributed to the development of democracy.
“I am confident that together we will continue to follow this path of strengthening freedoms and establishing democracy,” he concluded.
The two heads of state will meet again on Wednesday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Tarrafal concentration camp, which will also be attended by Guinea-Bissau President Sissoko Embalo and Angola’s Defense Minister. representation of the head of state João Lourenço.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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