Portugal’s president sent a message to the Angolan president Eduardo dos Santos on the occassion of Angola’s independence day, fondly recalling the ‘special relationship’ that he imagines still exists between the two countries despite this relationship being founded on centuries of occupation of the land by Portugal, the slave trade and the extraction of mineral wealth, ending up with a messy colonial war.
Undeterred by Portugal's history in Angola, the Portuguese head of state highlighted the common desire to "actively defend the bilateral relationship" and reaffirmed his "personal commitment to a continued deepening of the relationship."
On November 11th 1975, the High Commissioner and Governor-General of Angola, Leonel Cardoso, transferred sovereignty from Portugal to the Angolan people and today Cavaco Silva spoke about Portugal and Angola sharing a common history and how the two countries have built a mutually beneficial and fruitful relationship, in terms of both our citizens and businesses, and at the political and diplomatic level.
Sensibly omitting to mention the recent low point in political harmony, Cavaco Silva smoothly asserted that the two countries have, "with mutual trust and respect, overcome some difficulties that have arisen and have developed close and intense relationships."
"Founded on solid ties of friendship and cooperation, relations between our two countries and peoples are truly special,” he continued.
Cavaco referred to a far distant summit where he hoped everyone could be friends and did not mention the summit scheduled for next February that an enraged Angolan President cancelled due to an investigation by Portuguese authorities into a suspicious bank transfer, and allegations that his country’s businessmen may not be 100% honest.
The judicial investigations into the activities of senior members of the Angolan state, despite a grovelling apology from Portuguese minister Rui Machete for any embarassment caused, led to statements by José Eduardo dos Santos in the Angolan Parliament announcing the end of the strategic partnership with Portugal and a buddying up with South Africa and Brazil instead.
This was a particular blow to Cavaco Silva’s pride as he was behind this partnership back in 2009 during José dos Santos’ visit to Portugal.
