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President of the Republic At the meeting with Mr António Carmona Rodrigues, Mayor of Lisbon in Lisbon on 28 November 2005
28.11.2005


Mayor,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for your kind welcoming words and for hosting us in the capital of the Republic of Portugal.

Lisbon as a city of rich history and cultural heritage is well known for Estonians. This morning we visited the Mosteiro dos Jerónimo Monastery, which made a deep and educational impression on me, just like a class in art history.

This is the home of the Lisbon Estonian Society, our students of the Estonian Academy of Arts are keen to study in Portugal, and our musicians mostly perform to a full house. Take, for example, the International Gregorian Festival at the Sé Cathedral of Lisbon.

We tread on soil immersed in historic events, each square metre can tell stories of merchants and shipbuilders, ship owners and captains who throughout centuries have been related to the sea and made a living out of the sea. Today I am pleased to see how Lisbon is thinking of ensuring ecologically clean and wholesome environment, in order to preserve fish, delivered by seafarers to our table.

In our current and future cooperation within the European Union we should rely on positive historic heritage, similarities and common understandings shared by our nations. This is the way to exchange goods and knowledge, which - I am quite positive! - we would both benefit from.

Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of myself, my wife and the entire delegation I would like to thank you for your kindness and hospitality. May your good deeds prosper!


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