Presidents of Portugal and Cape Verde move away from the spectrum of reparations

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa described the welcome in the archipelago as something that “has no qualifications. It is more than a mere fraternity, it is a complicity” that responds to “some anxieties” that may exist about the past.

“I have the feeling that we get along better than last time. Cooperation is better”, as well as “sharing and partnership between the two countries and governments is better”, he added, after, during the afternoon, mentioning that the reparations that Portugal owes to its former colonies are already being implemented through bilateral cooperation.

“I even get worried because, normally, when everything goes at this level of excellence, we start to think: what could go a little less well? But we couldn’t find anything”, said Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

During the reception for the Portuguese community at the residence of the Portuguese ambassador in Cape Verde, Marcelo then told his counterpart José Maria Neves to assume the protocol role usually reserved for the Portuguese President and be the last to speak.

The Cape Verdean head of state alluded to the questions that have been asked by journalists about Marcelo’s statements regarding reparations, to say that “there are no taboo topics in democracy”.

“And, between us, with the maturity we already have, we can talk like people who understand each other”, he said, after, during the day, having referred the topic for a “serene” debate.

“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. Relations are excellent, very mature. And from all our discussions new lights can still emerge to build a new future “, he said.

José Maria Neves wants Portugal to “continue to be that lighthouse country”, whose revolution “turned into carnations” and promoted democracy.

“I am sure that together we will continue to follow this path of strengthening freedoms and affirming democracy”, he concluded.

The two heads of state will be together again on Wednesday for the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Tarrafal concentration camp, in which the President of Guinea-Bissau, Sissoco Embalo, and the Minister of Defense of Angola will also participate in representation of the head of state, João Lourenço.