ITALY

PORTUGAL

Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy.

In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy.

In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion. Present concerns of the Holy See include religious freedom, international development, the Middle East, terrorism, inter-religious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization.

About 1 billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith.

State of the Vatican City (Holy See)

Vatican City

The two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the white band

24 April Coronation Day of Pope Benedict XVI

Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)

total: 044 sq km land: 044 sq km water: 0 sq km

total: 3.2 km border countries: Italy 3.2 km

Ecclesiastical

Head of State:

Pope Benedict XVI (2005)

Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, SBD

Population (July 2005 est.):

921 (growth rate: 0.01%);

Ethnic groups:

Italian, Swiss, others

Religion:

Roman Catholic

Languages:

Italian, Latin, French, various other languages

This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by an annual contribution from Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the world (known as Peter's Pence).

Investments and real estate income also account for a sizable portion of revenue. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.

Euro

Labor force:

About 3,000 lay workers (non-resident).

Major Industries:

Printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps; a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities

Source: CIA World Factbook

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The Holy See has had significant influence on the Philippines over five centuries now. Papal inspiration encouraged Spain to introduce the Catholic faith among Filipinos and to send missionaries to the Philippines. The Holy See erected dioceses and ecclesiastical provinces in the country. Manila was made a diocese in 1579 and raised to an archdiocese 16 years later. In 1900, the Holy See sent the first Apostolic delegate to the Philippines, Most Rev. Placido Louis Chapelle. While the Holy See had been sending representatives to the Philippine local churches since 1900, the Philippines had no representation yet before the Holy See. The Philippines was able to map out its international relations, including those with the Holy See, only after Philippine independence from American colonial rule in July 1946.

In 1951, the Philippines and the Holy See established diplomatic relations. H. E. Manuel V. Moran, the Philippine Ambassador to Spain, served in concurrent capacity as the first Philippine envoy to the Holy See. He presented his credentials on 4 June 1951. The Apostolic Delegation in Manila was elevated to the rank of a Nunciature, the first full- pledged Nunciature in Asia. Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi became the first Apostolic Nuncio, presenting his credentials to President Elpidio Quirino on 20 June 1951.

The Vatican diplomatic service has the longest uninterrupted history in the world. In the Philippines, as in many predominantly Catholic countries, the Papal Nuncio has precedence among ambassadors and serves as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.

In Europe, the Church has been addressing both spiritual and temporal concerns of several Filipino communities with the establishment of chaplaincies. Philippine foreign service posts have found the gathering of Filipinos in Catholic churches as a convenient venue to conduct dialogues and to disseminate information.

High points in RP-Holy See relations include:

Pope John Paul II arrived in Manila on 17 February 1981 for a 6-day pastoral visit; He presided over the beatification of Lorenzo Ruiz at the Rizal Park and visited the cities of Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, Legaspi and the town of Morong, Bataan;

The canonization of San Lorenzo Ruiz on 18 October 1987 and the beatification of Pedro Calungsod on 5 March 2000 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome; and

The 2^nd visit of Pope John Paul II in 12-16 January 1995 where the 10^th World Youth Day Congress brought together a record 4 million people at the Luneta Park, where His Holiness celebrated mass.

Visit of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on 25-26 June 2006. The President met with the Pope Benedict the XVI and then Secretary of State Cardinal Sodano

Following are other important dates in the history of relations between the Philippines and the Holy See from 1951 to the present:

Agreements

Filipino Roman Catholic priests and nuns make up the population of Filipinos accredited to the Vatican City. Out of the 64,215 documented Filipinos living in Italy, there are about 3,699 Filipino religious with stay permits and growth rate is estimated at one percent per annum. Data on their number is provided by Italy’s Ministry of Interior.

Source: Office of European Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs

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Pope Benedict XVI (Latin: Benedictus PP. XVI) was born Joseph Alois Ratzinger on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Bavaria, Germany. The pope’s relatives agree that his priestly vocation was apparent from boyhood. At the age of five, he was in a group of children who welcomed the visiting Cardinal Archbishop of Munich with flowers. Struck by the Cardinal’s distinctive costume, he later announced the very same day that he wanted to be a cardinal.

Benedict had a distinguished career as a university theologian before being appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising by Pope Paul VI, and very shortly afterwards made a cardinal in the consistory of June 27, 1977. He was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith by Pope John Paul II in 1981 and was also assigned the honorific title of the cardinal bishop of the suburbicarian diocese of Velletri-Segni on April 5, 1993. In 1998, he became sub-dean of the College of Cardinals and on November 30, 2002, dean, adding also as is custom the title of Cardinal bishop of the suburbicarian diocese of Ostia. He was the first Dean of the College elected pope since Paul IV in 1555 and the first cardinal bishop elected pope since Pius VIII in 1829. He is one of the best-known theologians since the 1960s and a prolific author, he is viewed as a staunch defender and steadfast advocate of Catholic traditional doctrine and moral values and their importance in the survival of humanity

During his papacy, Benedict XVI has particularly emphasized what he sees as a need for Europe to return to fundamental Christian values, in response to increasing de-Christianisation and secularisation in many developed countries. For this, he has identified relativism's denial of objective truth as the central problem of the faith and has taught about the crucial importance for the Catholic Church and humanity to contemplate God's love, and thus has reaffirmed the urgent "importance of prayer in the face of the activism and the growing secularism of many Christians engaged in charitable work."

Pope Benedict XVI was elected pope at the age of 78. He is the oldest person to have been elected pope since Clement XII in 1730. He was elected on April 19, 2005 in a papal conclave, celebrated his Papal Inauguration Mass on April 24, 2005, and took possession of his cathedral, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, on May 7, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI has both German and Vatican citizenship.

Pope Benedict speaks fluently German, Italian, French, English, Spanish and Latin. He can read ancient Greek and biblical Hebrew. He is a member of a large number of academies, such as the French Académie des sciences morales et politiques. He plays the piano and has a preference for Mozart and Beethoven.

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Following its heyday as a world power during the 15^th and 16^th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil as a colony. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.

Independence : 1143 (Kingdom of Portugal recognized); 5 October 1910 (republic proclaimed)

Constitution : adopted 2 April 1976; effective 25 April 1976; revised many times

Area : 92,391 sq. km.

Location : Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain

Capital : Lisbon

Population : 10,642,836 (July 2007 est.)

Ethnic Groups : homogeneous Mediterranean stock, citizens of black African descent who immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than 100,000, since 1990 East Europeans have entered Portugal.

Language : Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official – but locally used)

Religions : Roman Catholic 84.5%, other Christian 2.2%, other 0.3%, unknown, 9%, none 3.9% (2001 census)

GOVERNMENT

Type : Parliamentary democracy

Chief of State : President Anibal CAVACO SILVA (since 9 March 2006)

Head of Government : Prime Minister Jose SOCRATES Carvalho Pinto de Sousa (since 12 March 2005)

Legislative Branch : Unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

Judicial Branch : Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica (judges appointed for life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura

ECONOMY

Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based economy since joining the European Community in 1986. Over the past two decades, successive governments have privatized many state-controlled firms and liberalized key areas of the economy, including the financial and telecommunications sectors. The country qualified for the European Monetary Union (EMU) in 1998 and began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU member economies. Economic growth had been above the EU average for much of the 1990s, but fell back in 2001-06. GPD per capita stands at roughly two-thirds of the EU-25 average. A poor educational system, in particular, has been an obstacle to greater productivity and growth. Portugal has been increasingly overshadowed by lower-cost producers in Central Europe and Asia as a target for foreign direct investment. The budget deficit surged to an all-time high of 6% of GDP in 2005 but was reduced to 4.6% in 2006. The government faces tough choices in its attempts to boost Portugal’s economic competitiveness while keeping the budget deficit within the eurozone’s 3%-of-GDP ceiling.

Industries : textiles and footwear, wood pulp, paper, and cork; metals and metalworking; oil refining; chemicals; fish canning; rubber and plastic products; ceramics; electronics and communications equipment; rail transportation equipment; aerospace equipment; ship construction and refurbishment; wine; tourism

Currency : euro (EUR)

Note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institution of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries.

GDP (PPP) : $203.1 billion (2006 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 1.4% (2006 est.)

Per capita (GDP) : $19,100 (2006 est.)

Inflation Rate : 2.5% (2006 est.)

Labor Force : 5.58 million (2006 est.)

Unemployment Rate : 7.6% (2006 est.)

Current Account : -$16.75 billion (2006 est.)

Balance

Imports : $67.74 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Import Partners : Spain 29%, Germany 13.4%, France 8.5%, Italy 5.2%, Netherlands 4.3%, UK 4.2% (2005)

Exports : $46.77 billion (2006 est.)

Export Partners : Spain 25.9%, France 13.1%, Germany 11.9%, UK 8%, US 5.4%, Italy 4.3% (2005)

Public Debt : $272.2 billion (30 September 2006 est.)

Source: http://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/as.html

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The Philippines and Portugal share a long historical relationship the same religious faith and commitment to democratic ideals. Early Philippines-Portugal relations can be traced back as early as the 1500’s when Portuguese Alfonso de Albuquerque had taken Malacca, a great and rich commercial city of that time. During that period, early inhabitants of Luzon, who had been sending their trading vessels to Malacca, were given the opportunity to trade with Portuguese merchants. These relations grew stronger when Ferdinand Magellan, born in North of Portugal, touched the Philippine soil in 1521.

Philippines-Portugal political relations, formalized through the establishment of diplomatic relations, have been marked with exchanges of high-level visits and engagements in regional, inter-regional and multilateral meetings. The frequency of which began to intensify in 1996, coinciding with the founding of the Asia-Europe Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand.

The convening of the political consultations in 2000 and 2002 further strengthened political relations with Portugal. The latest consultations provided new impetus for relations and led to the historic signing of two agreements in the field of culture and promotion and protection of investments.

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Portugal were established on 04 July 1946, only after more than 400 years since Portugal touched Philippine soil. The existing relations between the two countries were further enhanced through the reopening of a resident Portuguese Embassy in Manila in February 1997. The Philippines, although it has not yet established a mission in Portugal, maintains its diplomatic links with Portugal through the Philippine Embassy in Paris, France. In order to further advance our interests, the Philippines maintains an Honorary Consulate in Lisbon.

The establishment of a Philippine resident mission of Portugal remains in the agenda of the Portuguese government. Philippine representation in Lisbon closed in 1970 and on several occasions, the Portuguese government has proposed its re-opening, especially when Portugal re-opened its embassy in February 1997. Ambassador Manuel Guerra Salgiero, Secretary-General of the Portuguese Foreign Ministry and the Portuguese Foreign Minister Antonio Martins da Cruz himself consistently raised the issue with the Philippines.

Exchange of High-Level Visits

The absence of a Philippine resident mission to Lisbon did not hamper the growth of our bilateral relations. Exchanges of high-level visits remained active. Following is a list of important exchanges, visits and meetings between Philippine and Portuguese officials from 1996 to the present:

Informal Discussions between President Fidel V. Ramos and Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres, at the sidelines of the ASEM I Summit (Bangkok, March 1996).

Bilateral Meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo L. Siazon, Jr. and Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama, at the sidelines of the 1^st ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting (Singapore, February 1997).

Visit to Manila of Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama, Calls on President Fidel V. Ramos, House of Speaker Jose de Venecia and Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo L. Siazon, Jr. (27-28 June 1997).

Bilateral Meeting between H.E. Neptali Gonzales, Senate President of the Republic of the Philippines and H.E. Antonio Guterres, Prime Minister of the Portuguese Republic, at the sidelines of the ASEM II Summit (London, April 1998).

Visit to Manila and Call of Former Portuguese President Mario Soares on President Fidel V. Ramos (June 1998).

Call of Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo L. Siazon, Jr. on H.E. Jorge Sampaio, President of the Portuguese Republic, at the sidelines of the Macau handover Rites (Macau, 19 December 1999).

Political Consultations between Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Lauro L. Baja Jr. and Portuguese Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Luis Amado (Lisbon, 25-26 June 200).

Bilateral Meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo L. Siazon, Jr. and Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama, at the sidelines of the UN Millenium Summit (New York, 15 September 2000).

Visit to Manila and call of Ambassador Joao Manuel Guerra Salguiero, Secretary-General of the Portuguese Foreign Ministry on Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teofisto T. Guingona on 12 July 2001.

Bilateral Meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Teofisto G. Guingona and Portuguese Foreign Minister Antonio Martins Da Cruz in the fringes of the 4^th ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting in Madrid on 7 June 2002.

Political Consultations between Undersecretary Lauro L. Baja and Deputy Foreign Minister Antonio Manuel Lourenco dos Santos in Manila on 8 November 2002.

Visit to Manila of Portuguese Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Joao Gomes Cravinho, called on Undersecretary for Policy Sonia Cataumber Brady (19 December 2005).

Agreements

The Philippines and Portugal, have concluded only a few agreements and these are in areas of tourism, culture and investments. Nevertheless, the two countries undertake negotiations for agreements in the areas of avoidance of double taxation, social security, and conversion of driver’s license. The conclusion of these agreements will further strengthen our bilateral relations.

Trade

The balance of trade between the two countries has remained in favor of the Philippines. In 2006, total exports from the Philippines to Portugal stand at US$15M; electronics and other industrial manufactures account for more than half of these exports. From 1997 - 2005, total trade of the Philippines with Portugal amounted to US$164,136,384. Over a nine-year period, total exports stand at US$117,247,535.

Despite the economic setback suffered by Portugal for the year 2005, trade relations with Portugal remained vibrant. Portugal is the Philippines’ 50^th trading partner with a total trade amounting to US$24,355,962. Exports amounted, US$17,797,682 while the remaining amount of US$6,558,280 are imports.

2006 TOP 10 PHILIPPINES
EXPORT/IMPORT TO/FROM PORTUGAL
(Value in US$M)

Portugal has not been an active investor in the Philippines. From 1992 to 1999, the Board of Investments (BOI) registered Portuguese investments only for the year 1994 at US$71,269,000.

It is hoped that the signed Philippines-Portugal Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investments would intensify economic cooperation and stimulate business initiatives between the two countries.

The Philippine Embassy in Paris conservatively estimates the number of Filipinos in Portugal at 3,200 of which only 23 are recorded as permanent migrants. However, the figure may be as high as 20,000 considering many enter Portugal illegally by taking advantage of the free movement of persons within the EU under the Schengen Agreement, the use of "baklas passports" and various other clandestine methods of illegal migration.

The Philippine Embassy in Paris recommended to opening of a regular consulate in Lisbon to assist the increasing number of Filipino nationals seeking employment in Portugal and those requiring other consular services.

Source: Office of European Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs

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Aníbal Cavaco Silva was inaugurated as the 19th President of the Portuguese Republic on March 9th 2006. He had been elected in the first round of the presidential election held on January 22nd, in which he stood as an independent candidate.

Stating that the challenges facing Portugal required a presidency that would encourage wide consensus around the great national objectives, Prof Cavaco Silva began his term of office supporting the promotion of dynamic stability within the democratic political system and strategic co-operation between the various powers.

President Cavaco Silva also recommended an active role by Portugal in the European Union and declared the importance of building up a healthy transatlantic relationship.

Born on July 15th 1939 in Boliqueime, Loulé (Algarve), President Aníbal Cavaco Silva’s name was linked, as prime minister, to the longest period of political stability seen in Portugal in recent decades, to a cycle of major economic and social transformations and modernisation of the country, to a time in which the Portuguese recouped their optimism and gained greater confidence in the future.

The only party leader to achieve two consecutive absolute majorities, making him the longest-serving Portuguese prime minister under democracy (1985-95), Cavaco Silva left, during the time he was in office, a mark of determination and firmness in the application of a vast set of structural reforms that encouraged the democratisation and liberalisation of the Portuguese society and economy.

At a time when the country faced the first great challenges of European integration Cavaco Silva, with the support of the political stability that the Portuguese had provided by their vote, led Portugal to surmount the almost total stagnation in which it was buried, to take advantage of a new economic and social climate, to approach the average levels of development of its European Union partners and to ensure greater international projection and recognition. The Portuguese economy grew at an average annual rate of 4%.

He implemented an ambitious programme that included heavy investment in public works and infrastructures and the adoption of new practices in the economy – especially the reduction of State intervention, assigning a more important part to private initiative and to market mechanisms, while encouraging foreign direct investment and strengthening social cohesion.

He put into motion a vast tax reform, introduced profound alterations in the education sector – including reform of the education system and modernisation of the schools – brought about significant changes in the health area and also promoted liberalisation of the media, with emphasis on the opening of private television stations.

The greater affirmation of the civil society and the promotion of social freedoms were major guidelines that were always present in Cavaco Silva’s public activities. The political stability that he provided and his confidence, mirrored in the social partners, allowed the signature of the first collective bargaining agreements in Portugal, underscoring the correctness of the socio-economic measures that were put forward.

Cavaco Silva played an active role in the process that led to the acceleration of European construction in response to the new geopolitical situation that followed the fall of the Berlin wall. He played a central part in several major decisions, influencing the options written into the Treaty of Maastricht – especially with regard to economic and social cohesion and the specific situations of the Member States – and ensured that the escudo was in a position to join the European Monetary System, creating the conditions for Portugal to be one of the first countries of the single European currency.

He took part in 29 European Councils, at which he successfully defended Portugal’s interests, as in the case of the approval of the Delors Packages I and II, of the PEDIP (Specific Programme for the Development of Portuguese Industry), of the creation of specific programmes for the development of the Azores and Madeira, and also of the programme of support to the modernisation of the Portuguese textile and clothing industries. During the first half of 1992, under his dedicated leadership, Portugal took over the rotating presidency of the European Union for the first time, with recognised success.

In relations with the Portuguese-speaking world, Cavaco Silva promoted change with a view to the democratic stabilisation of the African regimes, having sponsored the Angolan peace talks and supported an identical process in Mozambique. It was also under his leadership that Portugal was at the centre of the creation of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) and of the decision to hold Portuguese-Brazilian summits every year.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva lent new dynamics to Portuguese foreign policy, strengthening Portugal’s proactive role in her bilateral and multilateral relations, and also in several regional arenas.

Through annual summits at Head of Government level, he improved relations with Spain, fostering interchange in a vast range of areas, besides greater development of cross-border regions. He developed the relations with Morocco at political and economic level and established a climate of good understanding and dialogue with the United States, contributing to better Euro-Atlantic dialogue. He also improved ties with China, with which he signed the Joint Declaration for the transfer of Macao, ensuring for the territory a transition in stability and progress.

At the same time, he helped to increase the role of the Portuguese communities scattered throughout the world in their countries of adoption, most of which he visited.

On September 7th 1995 he was distinguished in Germany with the Carl Bertelsmann Prize that the prestigious Bertelsmann Foundation decided to award to Portugal for the success of its policies directed at improving the labour market and the fight against unemployment during the time Aníbal Cavaco Silva was in office as prime minister. The selection of Portugal was the result of a comparative study of 17 European countries carried out by the Institute for Economic Policy and Research of the University of Witten/Herdecke. He also received the Joseph Bech Prize (1991) in Luxembourg and the Robert Schumann Medal (1998) for his contribution to European construction, and the Freedom Prize (1995) in Switzerland, awarded by the Schmidheiny Foundation for his activities as a politician and economist.

He has published a large number of works, with a particular focus on the following books O Mercado Financeiro Português em 1966 (The Portuguese Financial Market), Economic Effects of Public Debt, Política Orçamental e Estabilização Económica (Budget Policy and Economic Stabilisation), A Política Económica do Governo de Sá Carneiro (The Economic Policy of the Sá Carneiro Government), Finanças Públicas e Política Macroeconómica (Public Finance and Macroeconomic Policy), As Reformas da Década (The Reforms of the Decade), Portugal e a Moeda Única (Portugal and the Single Currency), União Monetária Europeia (European Monetary Union), Autobiografia Política (Political Autobiography) Volumes I and II, and Crónicas de Uma Crise Anunciada (Chronicles of an Announced Crisis).

His most important speeches as prime minister have been brought together in the following books: Cumprir a Esperança (Fulfilling Hope) (1987), Construir a Modernidade (Constructing Modernity) (1989), Ganhar o Futuro (Winning the Future) (1991), Afirmar Portugal no Mundo (Affirming Portugal in the World) (1993) and Manter o Rumo (Keeping on Course) (1995).

Having put aside active political life between 1995 and 2005, during which he returned to academic life, President Cavaco Silva nevertheless continued his remarkable civic involvement, especially through occasional speeches on national and international issues, characterised by the thoroughness, exigency and credibility that have always been the hallmark of his public activity both as an academic and as a politician.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva took a degree in Finance at the Lisbon Higher Institute of Economic and Financial Sciences (ISCEF) and his doctorate in Economics at the University of York, United Kingdom. He lectured at the ISCEF, was full professor of the Faculty of Economics at Universidade Nova de Lisboa and, when elected president, was full professor at Universidade Católica Portuguesa.

He was a Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation researcher and headed the Bank of Portugal’s Study Office, and he later returned to this institution as consultant. He held the position of minister for Finance and the Plan in 1980-81 in the government of prime minister Francisco Sá Carneiro and was president of the National Council for the Plan from 1981 to 1984. He presided over the Democratic Social Party (PSD) from May 1985 to February 1995.

President Cavaco Silva was awarded honorary degrees by the Universities of York (United Kingdom), La Coruña (Spain) and Goa (India) and he is a member of the Spain’s Royal Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, of the Madrid Club for Democratic Transition and Consolidation and also of the Global Leadership Foundation.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva did his military service as an Army officer between 1962 and 1965 in Lourenzo Marques (now Maputo), Mozambique.

He is married to Maria Alves da Silva Cavaco Silva. They have two children and four grandchildren.

Source: http://www.presidencia.pt

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• Born in Vilar de Maçada, Alijó, Vila Real district, in the 6th of September, 1957
• Civil Engineer
• Post-Graduation Sanitary Engineering
• Member of Socialist Party since 1981
• Member of the Socialist Party direction since 1991
• Member of Parliament from 1987 to 1995 and since 2002
• Member of Covilhã Municipal Council
• Minister of Environment and Territorial Planning in the XIV Government (1999-2002)
• Minister Assistant to the Prime Minister in the XIII Government (1997-1999)
• State Secretary Assistant to the Environment Minister in the XIII Government (1995-1997)
• Elected Socialist Party leader in September, 2004

Source: http://www.portugal.gov.pt/Portal/EN/Primeiro_Ministro

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Source: http://www.parlamento.pt/ingles/welcome/biogPar.htm

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LISBON

On the right hand bank of the river Tagus, Lisbon is a city whose legendary history stretches back over twenty centuries.

The maritime Voyages of Discovery turned Lisbon into one of the world’s great ports and the centre of an empire that stretched from Brazil in the West to India in the East. On the banks of the river, great monuments testify to that history.

After the earthquake of 1755, the Baixa Pombalina downtown was rebuilt in the classical style while many of its adjoining medieval neighbourhoods survived and are now home to an amazing array of stores, restaurants and cafés.

Lisbon’s exceptional and highly individualistic light has charmed writers, photographers and filmmakers with the polychrome façade tiles serving to create a particular atmosphere.

On foot, by tram, boat or walking the banks of the Tagus, and even on the metro - an open underground museum of contemporary Portuguese art, any means serves to reveal the cultural diversity of the Portuguese capital of Lisbon.

Lisbon from the hills

At the top of the hill. You will never be able to say that you have really seen Lisbon until you have travelled up to the top of one of its seven hills on one of the lifts or funiculars that are to be found around the city.

If you travel to the top of Elevador de Santa Justa, you will have one of the most beautiful views over Lisbon, taking in the Igreja do Carmo, the Baixa Pombalina, Castelo de São Jorge and the River Tagus.

Make sure to take a trip up to Bairro Alto on the Elevador da Glória. At the top, there is a magnificent view over the city from São Pedro de Alcântara. Take advantage of being here to discover a truly unforgettable historical quarter. Walk along one of its narrow streets and listen to the excitement and commotion of everyday life. Stop for a while in one of the district’s many restaurants, bars or shops.

Walk down to Bica, the next historical quarter, and make your way across to the viewpoint of Santa Catarina. With its statue of Adamastor, this is the ideal spot for observing the ferry-boats making their way back and forth, whilst enjoying the magnificent view of the Cristo Rei statue and the 25 de Abril Bridge.

Contemplating Lisbon and its river takes on its own special flavour as night falls. From the viewpoint of Santa Luzia, near Portas do Sol, you can see the Tagus estuary, its south bank and the typical Lisbon quarter of Alfama.

Another memorable view can be enjoyed from the viewpoint of Senhora do Monte, in Graça, from where you can look out over the river and the city’s various hills.

Don’t miss the chance to enjoy yet another perspective of Lisbon, this time from the top of Parque Eduardo VII, offering a delightful view over the Baixa and the Castle, with the river in the background.

Lisbon by tram

Tram no. 28 is the perfect means to discover some of the most interesting aspects of Lisbon’s historical and architectural heritage.

Departing from Martim Moniz, the No. 28 heads up through the Graça neighbourhood, through its characteristic main Square and past the Church of São Vicente de Fora. Continuing through the Alfama, the tram takes you though some of the most picturesque sites in medieval Lisbon such as the steep Rua das Escolas Gerais and the Largo das Portas do Sol, with its fine views out down to the river below as well as up to the São Jorge Castle above. Continue on down to the Baixa past the Se, with its austere Romanesque façade and the Church of Santo António. As you approach the Baixa along the busy Rua da Conceição, take a look at the impressive early 20th century facades.

The tram again now embarks on an upward trajectory through to Chiado. There is a stop practically in front of the very popular Pastelaria A Brasileira café. Along the entire route, make sure you are paying attention to the architecture and the tiles that finish some facades, often in an Art Nouveau style reaching right up to the roof. On the way to Estrela, you get ringside seats for the Parliament building, formerly the Convent of São Bento, perched above an imposing stairway.

It is not difficult to understand why this route has become known as the "tourist tram".

Source: www.visitportugal.com

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The powers and duties of the Assembleia da Republica are political, legislative and supervisory, and others relating to other organs.

Legislative powers

The Assembly may legislate about all matters except those referring to the organisation and workings of the Government.

There are matters about which only the Assembly may legislate. Such matters are absolutely reserved and include elections, political parties, the State Budget, referenda, the basic structure of education and national defence.

There are other matters, which lie within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Assembly of the Republic but about which the Government may legislate by means of a legislative authorization from the Assembly. Examples are rights, liberties and guarantees, definitions of crime and security measures, taxes and the fiscal system, agricultural and monetary policy, rural and urban rent law, jurisdiction of courts, information services.

Legal instruments approved by the Assembly are designated Decrees which, after publication and ratification, become Laws. These are, as a rule, voted on a simple majority. Some laws, designated as Organic Laws, have to be approved by an absolute majority of all Members of Parliament in service. (Examples are: elections to the Assembly of the Republic and the Presidency of the Republic, referenda, national defence).

Laws which approve amendments to the Constitution are called Constitutional Laws and have to be approved by a majority of 2/3 of Members of Parliament in service.

Other deliberations of the Assembly take the form of Resolutions.

Supervisory Powers

The Assembly has the duty to watch over fulfillment of the Constitution and laws and to deliberate over the actions of the Government and Administration.

The Government is constituted taking into account the results of legislative elections (as elections to the Assembly of the Republic are called). After taking office, the Government present its Programme to the Assembly of the Republic, which deliberates over it for a maximum of three plenary meetings. During the debate on the Government Programme, any opposition parliamentary group may table a motion for the rejection of the Government Programme or the Government may table a motion of confidence.

At any time, and relating to matters of important national interest, the Government may table a motion of confidence. Equally any parliamentary group may table a motion of censure against the Government. The approval of a motion of censure by an absolute majority of Members in service, or the rejection of a motion of confidence by a simple majority of Members present leads to the dismissal of the Government.

Each Parliamentary Group may propose the opening of two debates, in each legislative session (parliamentary year), about matters of general or sector-specific policy. This type of action is used to demand explanations from the government and is referred to as interpellation.

Every two weeks, the Government is called to appear before the Assembly in plenary session, for questioning by Members. Members may also question the Government through Written Questions.

Any matter of important public interest related to the performance of laws, the Government or Public Administration may be the subject of a parliamentary inquiry. The Assembly will then set up a select committee for each case.

Members may deliberate on Government approved decree-laws, except where these relate to matters reserved exclusively to Government legislative powers. The Assembly may amend or suspend, totally or partially, the coming into force of decree-laws.

Powers relating to other Organs

The President of the Republic is sworn in before the Assembly of the Republic.

The President of the Republic may not leave the country without the consent of the Assembly of the Republic, except for private visits of no more than five days.

The Assembly of the Republic approves politico-administrative statutes and electoral laws of the Autonomous Regions (namely, Madeira and the Azores), deliberating on the dissolution of their own organs of government and authorizing the respective Regional Legislative Assemblies to legislate on specified matters.

The Assembly of the Republic is involved - totally or partially - in the appointment of various external public positions, namely: the Ombudsman, the Chairman of the Economic and Social Council, judges of the Constitutional Court, the Superior Council of the Bench, the National Elections Commission, the Supervisory Council for Information Services, etc.

Source: http://www.parlamento.pt/ingles/about_parl/powers.html

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The Palace, located in Belém, formerly a royal palace, is now national monument and the headquarters of the Presidenc