Senator the Honourable Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs welcomed His Excellency João Pedro de Vasconcelos Fins do Lago, Ambassador-designate of the Portuguese Republic to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, during a courtesy call on 8th October, 2024 at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs.
The courtesy call took place prior to the Ambassador-designate’s presentation of his Letters of Credence to Her Excellency Christine Kangaloo O.R.T.T., President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, which took place at The President’s House later that morning.
Minister Browne reflected on the close support on shared concerns affecting islands and coastal states and identified a number of areas that would usher in a new era of cooperation between Trinidad and Tobago and Portugal. This point was endorsed by the Ambassador-designate who noted that Portugal is committed to building upon its contribution to the formulation of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index, which seeks to increase the eligibility of Small Island Developing States to access greater levels financing to address their unique vulnerabilities, such as their proximity to and reliance on the ocean and climate change.
The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Government of the Portuguese Republic have enjoyed diplomatic relations since 2nd September 1977, but consular relations began with the appointment of an Honorary Consul for Portugal in Trinidad and Tobago in 1967.
