Mr. Chancellor
Mr. Rector
Ladies and Gentlemen
Dear Students

It is for me a special occasion to come to Helsinki University. Your University is a well-known academic institution. Portuguese students that come here to study are well aware of the high quality of its teaching.

It is also a pleasure to testify the interest that Finnish students have for the learning of Portuguese.

This interest is shown in the existence of the Department of Romance Languages, where portuguese language and culture are studied. Allow me to praise both Professor Angela Bartens and Lisa Mello e Abreu for the work they have accomplished in making Portuguese more widely known.

Let me tell you also that we attach great importance to the strengthening of ties and developing cooperation with your University.
Just to cite a few examples, one month ago a protocol was signed between our Instituto Camões (named after one of ours greatest poets) and this institution.

This agreement will enhance the cooperation between our two countries by the creation, in the near future, of a masters degree in Portuguese language and culture in this institution.
We have just nominated Mrs. Mónica Oliveira, which is here beside meto act as an Assistant Professor at the University.

I can assure you that Mrs. Oliveira is aware of the huge responsibility which falls on her shoulders and will not fail to fulfil her task in friendly and fruitful cooperation with the teachers of this institution.

Furthermore, this protocol foresees for a visitant Professor to come to Helsinki, once a year, to share experiences and knowledge.

Mr. Chancellor
Mr. Rector
Dear Students
Ladies and Gentleman

The Portuguese language is, as you know, spoken by 200 million people in the world, from Brazil to East Timor, and gave birth to well known writers as our Nobel Prize, José Saramago and Jorge Amado, from Brazil, just to cite two examples.

In order to make available to your students a wider selection of literary works in Portuguese, I have brought with me a small library of 500 books of Portuguese language which I am very pleased to leave with you. This is a small contribution I make to a better understanding between our two countries

Thank you very much for the warm welcoming we received here.


			Speech by the President of the Portuguese Republic at the Helsinki University Helsinki 10 de Outubro de 2002 Mr. Chancellor Mr. Rector Ladies and Gentlemen Dear Students It is for me a special occasion to come to Helsinki University. Your University is a well-known academic institution. Portuguese students that come here to study are well aware of the high quality of its teaching. It is also a pleasure to testify the interest that Finnish students have for the learning of Portuguese. This interest is shown in the existence of the Department of Romance Languages, where portuguese language and culture are studied. Allow me to praise both Professor Angela Bartens and Lisa Mello e Abreu for the work they have accomplished in making Portuguese more widely known. Let me tell you also that we attach great importance to the strengthening of ties and developing cooperation with your University. Just to cite a few examples, one month ago a protocol was signed between our Instituto Camões (named after one of ours greatest poets) and this institution. This agreement will enhance the cooperation between our two countries by the creation, in the near future, of a masters degree in Portuguese language and culture in this institution. We have just nominated Mrs. Mónica Oliveira, which is here beside meto act as an Assistant Professor at the University. I can assure you that Mrs. Oliveira is aware of the huge responsibility which falls on her shoulders and will not fail to fulfil her task in friendly and fruitful cooperation with the teachers of this institution. Furthermore, this protocol foresees for a visitant Professor to come to Helsinki, once a year, to share experiences and knowledge. Mr. Chancellor Mr. Rector Dear Students Ladies and Gentleman The Portuguese language is, as you know, spoken by 200 million people in the world, from Brazil to East Timor, and gave birth to well known writers as our Nobel Prize, José Saramago and Jorge Amado, from Brazil, just to cite two examples. In order to make available to your students a wider selection of literary works in Portuguese, I have brought with me a small library of 500 books of Portuguese language which I am very pleased to leave with you. This is a small contribution I make to a better understanding between our two countries Thank you very much for the warm welcoming we received here.