The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, stressed Wednesday that Portugal is “coming in force” to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Guinea-Bissau’s independence and considered that this presence “is fundamental, it is irreplaceable”.
“It’s a great joy to be here in Guinea-Bissau at this historic moment and Portugal is coming with its weight with the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic,” declared the head of state on arrival at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport.
“It’s a great compliment to Guinea-Bissau for its independence,” he added.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa arrived in Guinea-Bissau on a Portuguese Air Force Falcon at 9:15pm, around two hours after the Prime Minister, António Costa.
As he got off the plane, he was met by the head of the Civil House of the Presidency of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Soares Sambu.
In brief statements, the President of the Republic only commented on the representation of the Portuguese state at the official celebration of Guinea-Bissau’s 50th anniversary, which will take place this Thursday, considering that “it is fundamental, it is irreplaceable”, and he declined to talk about the Portuguese political situation.