Tazeen Akhtar
Portugal Embassy in Islamabad celebrated National Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities in Islamabad on 10 June 2024 in a befitting manner with a large number of guests from all walks of life including government officials, military leaders , EU representatives ,business community and media persons in attendance.
Ambassador H.E Frederico Silva demonstrated his managerial skills through hosting a magnificent event under the flag of his country. It was very first big event of Portugal appearance in Islamabad after a long time. His welcome address was a summary of the history of centuries covering all important points to have a basic idea of what is the contribution of Portugal to the world regarding connectivity, building bridges, promoting relations and trade and above all discovering new regions in the world.
H.E Silva noted that , Portuguese reached in the Americas and Brazil first.
Ambassador’s speech was mindfully and intellectually prepared. He shared in his address, “Portugal is one of the oldest nation states on Earth.Today we celebrate 885 years of existence, since 1139.”
It was quite interesting as well as astonishing for many because people do not read history these days. Otherwise Portugal has deep roots in the history and centuries old relations with sub continent that consists of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh now.
Federal Minister for Housing and Works Mr. Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada was the chief guest. Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Federal Minister Maritime Affairs Mr.Qaisar Ahmad Sheikh was also present.Director General ISPR, Lieutenant General Ahmed Shariff Chaudry also graced the event with his presence. He rarely attends events and for that reason , the guests especially the media persons noted his attendance with pleasant astonishment.
Renown philanthropist and businessman Mr. Isphanyar Bhandara and Consul of Portugal Mr. Iftikhar Firoz were also among the prominent personalities in the event.
Ambassador, in his welcome address, said ,”We have indeed a long history as the western most country in Europe, facing the Atlantic Ocean on our maritime mainland coast and around the Archipelagos of Madeira and Azores.”
In the seventeenth-century Portuguese Jesuit Antonio Vieira famously said:
“God gave the Portuguese a small country as cradle but all the world as their grave”.
Going into history, the Ambassador stated, “After 300 years of defining and solidifying its institutions, territory, linguistic and cultural identity, in 1415 Portugal dived into a new adventure. A new strategic vision. A country of farmers, fishermen and traders decided to challenge the unknown south.”
“From this year, 1415, when the Portuguese settled in Ceuta, North Africa, till 1542, when they arrived to Japan, Portuguese fleets established for the first time maritime routes to reach and connect all continents of the world.The Portuguese were the first to sail south down the Atlantic Ocean, the first Europeans to pass the Equator, to circumnavigate the African continent and to sail into Asia, Ambassador enlightened the audience.
Ambassador mentioned , “In 1498 with Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese was the first to reach the Indian subcontinent by sea from Europe, and to reach Ceylon and Sumatra, Java and Thailand, Malaca and Timor, and so on. He and his companions were also the first Europeans to reach and trade with both Japan and China by sea, and the first ones to view Australia.”
Here it is worth noting that if one intends to highlight the historical links ,one can not avoid Vasco da Gama who is known like the native person to all people of sub continent.
Sharing about the present day Portugal, Ambassador said, “In 1974, with the Carnation Revolution, Portugal began an era of democracy, decolonization and development and this opened the path for a reinvigorated Portugal, that became a EU state member in 1985. Today, Portugal is consistently considered one of the most safe and secure countries in the world, benefiting from good levels of economic and social development.”
Day of LUIS DE CAMOES
H.E Silva shed light on the Day of Luis Da Camoes as well. He said, “We also celebrate today, 10th june, Luis Vaz de Camões, poet and writer, author of “The Lusiads”, the major Portuguese national epic.10th june was the day, in 1580, Camões, Luis Vaz de Camoes, died. And that is why, in an original manner, 10th of june is the National Day of Portugal.”
A couple of poems of Camoes, and a couple also from Fernando Pessoa, were made available in the ceremony.
Day of THE PORTUGUESE COMMUNITIES
Another relevant topic of the National Day was the Day of the Portuguese Communities. Ambassador shared information in this regard as well. Ambassador said,” The trilogy of this day is completed with an homage to the Portuguese Communities spread all around the world.As of today, the Portuguese population includes around 15 million citizens, one third of them living outside the national borders.”
Ukraine and Gaza
Ambassador approached two specific international situations, Ukraine and Gaza also in his keynote address.
On Ukraine, H.E Silva said, “it has to be clearly reminded that sovereignty and territorial integrity are the cornerstone of international order. Russia’s unjustified war against Ukraine creates a very dangerous precedent for the rest of the world; it must be stopped.We encourage Pakistan to be represented at high level in the forthcoming “Global Peace Summit” being held in Switzerland from June 15th.”
Ambassador of Ukraine, H.E Markiian Chuchuk and other staff members were also present at the occasion.
On Gaza, Ambassador stated, “Portugal strongly condemns the ongoing Israeli offensive in Raffah and is gravely concerned with the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation. We also maintain our longstanding position of respect for the jurisdiction, independence and impartiality of the International Criminal Court.”
” Portugal considers the recognition of the Palestinian State as an important step, with the underlying concern of choosing the best timing and context, to maximize its effect and send a positive political message to both parties.We are also very supportive of the vital role played by UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) having not only maintained but reinforced our financial contributions to its activities, Ambassador emphasized.
Portugal Pakistan Relations
Ambassador is optimistic on the bilateral relations. He said the relations are long and well established, friendly and based on trust and cooperation.
He recalled his travel to different cities and sites of Pakistan during his stay in Pakistan since Feb last year. He said, ” Since my arrival to Pakistan, February last year, i have been able to travel extensively inside this big and fascinating country, visiting, among other places, Lahore and Karachi, Faisalabad and Peshawar, Nowshera and Abbotabad, Murrey and Taxila, Chilas and Gilgit-Baltistan.”
“The beauty of the Nature, the deepness and diversity of the historical and cultural fabric, the majesty of so many architectural and urban monuments, became precious memories that I will keep forever, H.E noted.
H.E appreciated the hospitality and welcoming gestures of Pakistanis as , ” The most impacting impression came from my contact with the persons, with the Pakistani people, both in Islamabad, as in all the above mentioned parts of Pakistan. Their natural kindness and warm sense of hospitality are real treasures that I very much appreciate.”
Portugal established an Embassy in Karachi in 1049, what was followed in 1954 by the opening of the Embassy of Pakistan in Lisbon.Political bilateral consultations were held last year in Lisbon. A new round is expected to take place in Islamabad in the medium term.
“PAKISTAN AND PORTUGAL RELATIONS — Past Experiences, Vision for the Future” Seminar in Islamabad
As of today, the main areas of bilateral interaction, both at official and civil society levels, include Renewable Energy and Water Management, Education and Culture, Tourism and Agriculture, Blue Economy and Green Technologies, Trade and Investments.
Last 6th June, the Embassy organized in cooperation with Sanober Institute a seminar on bilateral relations. Ambassador highlighted the participation of five former Ambassadors of Pakistan in Lisbon, and as well the current one, Ambassador Khalid Ejaz. It was indeed an enlightening session. Fertile, well informed and full of useful advice.
Ambassador said, “Portugal supported the recent election of Pakistan to a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the period 2025/26. Portugal is candidate to the equivalent position for the biennium 2026/27. We consistently support the indispensable role of the United Nations, including its Secretary-General, the Portuguese António Guterres.”
Ambassador expressed his gratitude to the sponsors, who significantly assisted in making possible this cycle of celebrations. They are MGA, THE CITY SCHOOL, ENSMILE, GERRY’s VISA, MAKSOONS and LSE VENTURES, for their invaluable support.
“Coming from a football loving country, let me finalize hoping that the European Football Cup for National Teams, soon starting, will allow Cristiano Ronaldo and his team companions to continue celebrating Portugal Day, all along this month of June, Ambassador concluded to the big applaud from the audience.
Minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada, in his address, congratulated the people and government of Portugal on their national day and expressed keenness of Pakistani side to enhance cooperation with Portugal in all spheres. He said, ” Pakistan attaches great value to her relations with Portugal. Bilateral trade is increasing but still both sides can explore more avenues because there is tremendous potential of boosting the economic cooperation between the two countries.”
He mentioned about the parliamentary cooperation with Portugal in shape of a friendship group in the National Assembly. He recalled the visit of Mr Duarte Pacheco, President Inter-Parliamentary Union’s (IPU) in Sep 2022.
The Minister thanked government of Portugal for taking care of Pakistani diaspora living in Portugal. He said that Pakistanis are contributing in the development of Portugal. They are also strengthening P2P relations as well.
The spacious hall of Serena hotels Islamabad was packed with the guest. Special stalls and corners were designed to portray the culture and traditions of Portugal. The pictures of Portugal’s tourist sites that are registered at UNESCO were also displayed in the event. Last but not the least , Portuguese drink and cookies were also served to the guest along with sumptuous dinner at the end of the speeches and cake cutting ceremony.
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