Angola, Mozambique and Brazil “veto” Portugal’s CPLP presidency

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Angola, Mozambique and Brazil “veto” Portugal’s CPLP presidency

12:59 CAT | 08 Mar 2016

The governments of Brazil, Angola and Mozambique have indicated that they do not want Portugal to occupy the rotating presidency of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries at the CPLP summit to be held in July.

The argument put forward by Brazil, Angola and Mozambique is that, as it is hosting the summit and is the site of the body’s headquarters, Portugal should give up its slot in the rotating executive presidency.

Brazil was the first country to urge Portugal to surrender the chair the organization, but according to Portuguese newspaper Sol, Portugal has said it is not willing to do so. The Angolan Vice President Manuel Vicente also addressed the matter with the Portuguese foreign minister Augusto Santos Silva, who has rejected the call.

In his first public speech on the new government’s foreign policy, Santos Silva immediately signalled Portugal’s rejection of diplomatic pressure from Brazil, Angola and Mozambique, which had already been widely reported.

“The Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries is at the top of our priorities. In particular, in 2016, when the CPLP will celebrate its 20th anniversary and awaiting approval of its new strategic vision, it is Portugal’s turn to nominate a candidate for the post of executive secretary,” the minister told the staff at his ministry.

The appointment of the next of CPLP executive secretary will be one of President de Sousa’s first diplomatic acts. De Sousa is known to have a particular dedication to the Lusophone world, having indicated throughout his presidential campaign that he would favour closer ties with Portuguese-speaking countries.

Source: Voa Portugues