Asked about concrete actions such as the restitution of cultural heritage to former colonies, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stated that cooperation between governments must evolve “without brakes.”
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President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa affirmed this Thursday, in Cape Verde, that cooperation between governments must evolve “without brakes”, when asked about concrete actions such as the possible restitution of cultural heritage to former colonies.
In a joint press conference, journalists asked the Head of State if the reparations that have been discussed, in addition to broader cooperation, could include more specific measures such as the restitution of works.
Marcelo insists on “reparation” for the former colonies. “We can’t sweep this under the rug. We have the obligation to lead”
“There are imaginative ways” of cooperation that have arisen in the relationship between Cape Verde and Portugal, he said, giving as an example the conversion of bilateral debt into climate investment, agreed in 2023, between the two governments.
It was unthinkable to convert the debt into an internal investment fund [em Cabo Verde]. This was unthinkable some time ago, especially because it was very new on a European and universal scale. And, therefore, we cannot stop what may be, in due course, by governments, new steps on a path of cooperation,” he stated.
Minutes earlier, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa had mentioned, in an initial statement, that Portugal and Cape Verde are “always dissatisfied” with cooperation, always seeking to “go further, being aware of the reasons of the past that justify the new challenges of the future.” “.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said that the two countries have benefited from a “virtuous combination” of will between governments and heads of state of both parties, who follow the advances that the two peoples are leading together.
This visit highlighted the intense bilateral cooperation between both countries..
The Cape Verdean president, José Maria Neves, recalled that the first cooperation agreement that Cape Verde established after independence, “when the coffers were empty”, was with Portugal, which was followed by more agreements in all areas of daily life, from health to education.
“Cape Verde and Portugal constitute a great reference in their relations, because We pledge to do everything possible to heal from the wounds of colonial fascism.“said the Cape Verdean head of state, who since Tuesday, on several occasions, together with Marcelo, highlighted the “excellence” of relations between the two countries.
José María Neves said that he hoped to receive Marcelo next year, on the occasion of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the independence of Cape Verde and the Portuguese Head of State indicated that he would return to the archipelago with satisfaction.
This Thursday, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa celebrates the last day of his visit to Cape Verde, which reached its climax on Wednesday, with the ceremony that marked the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the prisoners from the Tarrafal concentration camp.
Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Portugal sing of freedom in the Tarrafal that imprisoned them
Source: Observadora
