Ambassador Fredrico Silva hosts grand reception to celebrate Portugal National Day

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan Fredrico Silva on Monday night celebrated Portugal National Day and hosted a grand reception.

The Portuguese Embassy in Pakistan led by Ambassador Fredrico Silva honoured the country’s rich history and cultural heritage.

The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including the Federal Minister for Housing and Works, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, and the Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Shariff Chaudry.

The Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan opened the ceremony, welcoming guests and expressing gratitude for their presence. He highlighted Portugal’s long history, tracing back 885 years to its establishment in 1139, and its unique geographical positioning as the westernmost country in Europe.

The envoy cited the words of seventeenth-century Portuguese Jesuit Antonio Vieira, emphasizing Portugal’s historic maritime achievements.

From 1415, when Portuguese explorers settled in Ceuta, North Africa, to 1542, when they reached Japan, Portugal’s pioneering spirit established maritime routes connecting continents. Notably, Vasco da Gama’s journey in 1498 marked the first European sea route to the Indian subcontinent.

Reflecting on more recent history, the Ambassador spoke about the Carnation Revolution in 1974, which ushered in an era of democracy, decolonization, and development for Portugal, leading to its membership in the European Union in 1985. Today, Portugal is celebrated as one of the safest and most developed nations globally, he added.

Ambassador Fredrico Silva also paid tribute to Luis Vaz de Camões, the renowned Portuguese poet, and author of “The Lusiads,” noting that June 10th marks the anniversary of his death in 1580. The day is also a celebration of Portuguese communities worldwide, with one-third of the nation’s population residing outside its borders.

Addressing current international issues, the Ambassador underscored Portugal’s stance on the Ukraine conflict and the Gaza situation. He reiterated Portugal’s commitment to sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the humanitarian efforts led by UNRWA.

Highlighting the strong bilateral relations between Portugal and Pakistan, Ambassador Fredrico Silva recalled his extensive travels within Pakistan since his arrival in February of the previous year. He praised the country’s natural beauty, historical richness, and the hospitality of its people.

The envoy also touched upon the diplomatic history between Portugal and Pakistan, noting the establishment of embassies in Karachi and Lisbon in 1949 and 1954, respectively.

He mentioned ongoing bilateral interactions in various sectors, including renewable energy, water management, education, tourism, and agriculture.

Ambassador Fredrico Silva expressed gratitude to the event’s sponsors and shared his hopes for Portugal’s success in the upcoming European Football Cup, expressing a special wish for Cristiano Ronaldo and his team.

The celebration was a testament to the enduring friendship between Portugal and Pakistan, with both nations looking forward to continued cooperation and mutual support in the years to come.