Member of the local British community residing in the Algarve, namely centred in Loulé, have been commended for having shown "a great commitment" in trying to convince their countrymen back home to lift restrictions that the United Kingdom continues to impose on anyone traveling back from Portugal, namely the quarantine on return, said President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in a speech to a group of the Algarve’s mayors at a dinner in Querença.
The President of the Republic met with representatives of the British community living in the Algarve yesterday evening, stating that he sees these residents as strong allies in convincing the English Government to put Portugal on its list of safe countries to travel to, lifting the requirement to comply with a 14-day quarantine period on return home.
“I had a meeting with the British community that lives here in Loulé and there was a great effort on their part to do everything, to the extent of their possibilities, to show how they are received, how they live here, how they like to live here, how they want to work for the good relationship between the two countries. Naturally, in the economic part, in the business part, but also in the personal part”, he stated at the dinner.
“This is very important, because diplomacy is not just about ambassadors, ministers, governments and heads of state. It is made of people. And the expats who live here - and there are many, almost 50 thousand - know the Algarve very well, since the vast majority live here. They know what the reality is, they present the reality and that has a lot of strength to convince, to persuade, first, their compatriots and, later, the political leaders”, he reinforced.
In addition to the community residing in this singular Algarve municipality, there are others working proactively to lift restrictions. The Head of State even spoke of mayors "who are making videos and testimonies of those who live here to reach British society. It all helps a lot, it takes time, but it helps”.
As for the future, “like everything in life, it is necessary to persist. And we don't give up. We Portuguese are very insistent and do not give up, not least because we feel we are right”.
“Our claim is fair, particularly here in the case of the Algarve, but it could expand. Basically, what we want is to look at sensible and acceptable criteria, and make them understand and profile by the authorities of a country that has been friends for so many centuries, Portugal's oldest ally”, defended the President of the Republic.
This is only part of the effort that has been made by the Government recently, although without practical results. Marcelo was also hopeful that restrictions on flights from Portugal would be lifted by the United Kingdom even before the end of the summer, though how this will be done is contested.
“We all expect that and we are working to make it happen, summer only ends in September” he said.
The meeting with the British expat community representatives and the dinner with local mayors took place after the President of the Republic visited a local retirement home, the Santa Casa da Misericórdia in Boliqueime, which had been a focal point of Covid-19 spread in the region just months ago.
