The head of state, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, thanked the presidents of France, Emmanuel Macron, and the United States of America, Joe Biden, for the “warm messages” in which they marked the 50th anniversary of April 25th.
This information is contained in a note published this Friday on the official website of the Presidency of the Republic on the Internet.
“President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa thanked President Emmanuel Macron and President Joe Biden for the warm messages in which they marked the fiftieth anniversary of the April 25th Revolution”reads the note.
According to the same note, “the heads of state of the French Republic and the United States of America congratulated Portugal and, in particular, the extensive Portuguese diaspora residing in their countries, on this essential milestone for democracy in Europe and also in the world, also paying tribute to the main protagonists of the Carnation Revolution”.
On the eve of April 25th, French President Emmanuel Macron released a video marking 50 years of the Carnation Revolution.
“I would like to join our friends in Portugal, the Portuguese in France and all our compatriots of Portuguese origin to celebrate this anniversary, which is so important for democracy in Europe”said the French head of state.
The French President said that “April 25, 1974 marked the end of the oldest dictatorship in western Europe” and praised the young captains of April: “They were not even thirty years old and they were already heroes. Today’s Europe owes a lot to their courage “.
Macron mentioned that the song “Grândola, Vila Morena”, by Zeca Afonso, was recorded in France in 1971, and also remembered Mário Soares, Álvaro Cunhal and Emídio Guerreiro, who were exiled in France. He ended his message by exclaiming, in Portuguese: “April 25th, always! Long live Portugal, thank you to Portugal”.
The President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, sent a letter to Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, congratulating him and the Portuguese people for the “courageous spirit” with which the Carnation Revolution was carried out 50 years ago, which represented “the triumph over authoritarianism.”
“This milestone underscores the enduring commitment to freedom and democracy shared by our countries,” wrote Joe Biden.
In this letter, released by the White House, the North American President highlighted that Portugal was one of the first countries to recognize the United States of America and recalled that the signing of the Declaration of Independence was toasted with Madeira wine.
“The strong and lasting transatlantic ties between our countries, including the connection in NATO, as allies, form a basis of shared values and mutual respect that is only strengthened by 233 years of diplomatic relations”he considered.
“Together, we faced challenges and forged a resilient partnership that continues to flourish in the 21st century”, wrote the US President.
Joe Biden praised the Portuguese diaspora in the United States of America for its “fundamental role in shaping culture and economy through language, music, cuisine and entrepreneurship”.
“As we celebrate 50 years of Portugal’s return to democracy, we look forward to a future marked by even stronger ties and continued collaboration based on our common values and shared commitment to democratic principles,” added Joe Biden.
