In 2043, Portugal celebrates the 900th anniversary of the Treaty of Zamora. Symbolically, being here in Guimarães, this question makes even more sense. How do you imagine and wish the country would be in the next 20 years?
Teófilo Leite – 1143. Treaty of Zamora. D. Afonso Henriques, with his cousin, Afonso VII, and the recognition of the Portucalense County. An interesting date and that I, within the perspective that I will belong to the category of those who will exceed 100 years old, will be 93 at that time.
There are two points that I consider very important for the future of Portugal. The thing is, Portugal really is the largest country in Europe. It seems like a contradiction…
For the issue of the ocean?
TL – It is the largest country in Europe in terms of the ocean. Our Exclusive Economic Zone of 200 nautical miles gives us this situation.
I imagine that, Portugal, using in a sustainable way all the potential that the ocean can bring us, improvements could result for our population and we could access a standard of living that is first in Europe.
But, on the other hand, the ocean is also an element that connects us to what the PALOP are. [Países Africanos de Língua Oficial Portuguesa].
Already linked to the PALOP through language, I think the ocean contributes to this connection too. We have to look at this cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries in a way that is not nostalgic, but of cooperation, of culture, in these various parts of the world, which can certainly take us to a joint place of global relevance.
