Marcelo welcomes Lourenço: "We only gain by treating each other well"
At João Lourenço's reception ceremony at Belém Palace, at the beginning of the Angolan President's three-day visit to Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa recalled that "the two Presidents are in constant contact, reflecting the reality of our peoples." "We have been faithful to our peoples, who are in constant contact," he assured.
The President of the Republic noted that “we have in Portugal a huge, beloved, respected and fruitful Angolan community, very stable, which has recently grown and is always one of the top three communities in Portugal.”
“ We need each other and we know that we only gain by treating each other well , because whoever treats someone badly is mistreated,” he added.
Marcelo welcomed the presence of "80,000 Angolan brothers and sisters" living and working in Portugal "in all areas of activity." He mentioned "students, researchers, artists, managers, entrepreneurs," and many others. He specifically highlighted the Angolans who hold positions in the social sector, formal and informal care, and healthcare.
"Our Angolan brothers feel comfortable in Portugal, and our compatriots feel comfortable in Angola. And so, at crucial moments, they suffer from what are common challenges," the President further states.
After Marcelo's welcome speech, João Lourenço thanked the President of the Republic for the "sign of friendship between our two countries and our two peoples." "We couldn't miss this visit while you are still Head of State," the Angolan President noted, referring to the end of the current Portuguese head of state's term.
"Angola is celebrating 50 years of national independence. We came to Portugal to strengthen cooperation between the two countries," he recalled.
João Lourenço also thanked Marcelo for honoring Angola with his presence on several different occasions and recalled that he is the head of state who “visited Angola the most times”.
"This morning, we are grateful for the fact that Portugal has given us the opportunity to work at this high level with the President of the Republic, as well as for the opportunity for the meeting we will have next with the Prime Minister and the President of the Assembly of the Republic," he added.
On the first day of his visit — which will extend over the weekend — the Angolan head of state will be the guest of honor at an official dinner with his Portuguese counterpart at the Ajuda Palace.
As acting President of the African Union, João Lourenço will also meet with the Group of African Ambassadors accredited in Lisbon on the first day of his official visit.
The visit begins just one day after Marcelo sent the Foreigners Law to the Constitutional Court, on which João Lourenço has already spoken, admitting that there is “some discomfort” regarding it, taking into account the Angolan community in Portugal.
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