Algarve Brazilian Citizens Bridge to Government

Jack Soifer & Ambassador Manuel Innocêncio.A few days ago at the consulate of Brazil in Faro, started the Council of Citizenship. It aims to help the Brazilian Foreign Ministry to support its citizens south of the Tagus, except in border towns to Lisbon.

Among other activities they will schedule a monthly lunch with some cultural venue, issue a newsletter and also organize continued education for adults who wish to complete their degrees.

Swedes help Portugal's Sales

Karin E-Palmquist talking to the Swedes in the Algarve.Nobody knows quite how many Swedes live in the Algarve and Alentejo regions. There are some 550,000 Swedes, 1 in 16, living outside Sewden and 25% of these certainly are retired. The best estimate is that are about 4,000 Swedes in Portugal.

Most of them tell about our products and tourism to their friends who increasingly are buying homes here since the law changed to exempt them from IMI. Properties, such as villas and luxury flats are easily sold.

Post-referendum speeches from the Queen, Cameron and Salmond

scotlandQueen's speech

   "After many months of discussion, debate, and careful thought, we now know the outcome of the Referendum, and it is a result that all of us throughout the United Kingdom will respect.

For many in Scotland and elsewhere today, there will be strong feelings and contrasting emotions – among family, friends and neighbours. That, of course, is the nature of the robust democratic tradition we enjoy in this country. But I have no doubt that these emotions will be tempered by an understanding of the feelings of others.

Change of her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador to Portugal

Kirsty HayesMrs Kirsty Isobel Hayes has been appointed Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic in succession to Mrs Jill Gillard, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mrs Hayes will take up her appointment during August 2014.

Economic Democracy? In the EU? - Part 4

Economic Democracy? In the EU? - Part 4In coming issues we will publish a few chapters of this bilingual book, newly launched at the Confederação Empresarial de Portugal, presented by its President Antonio Saraiva, with foreword by the President of the Auditing Court of Portugal, Guilherme d’Oliveira Martins.
It was edited by Jack Soifer, with co-authors Francisco B. Weinholtz, John Wolf, Stefan de Vylder, Armindo Palma, Luis Silva, Henrique Neto and Viriato Soromenho-Marques.

Female diplomats no longer ‘a danger’

ambassadorKirstyThe arrival in Lisbon of a new woman ambassador representing the United Kingdom is another indication that the gender gap in diplomatic circles is narrowing, but equality is still some way off.

Throughout most of history, ‘manliness’ was deemed an essential ingredient in the conduct of international politics. The English diplomat and politician Sir Harold Nicholson (1986-1968) once said, “women are prone to qualities of zeal, sympathy and intuition which, unless kept under the firmest control, are dangerous qualities in international affairs.”

Economic Democracy? In the EU? - Part 3

Economic Democracy? In the EU? - Part 3In coming issues we will publish a few chapters of this bilingual book, newly launched at the Confederação Empresarial de Portugal, presented by its President Antonio Saraiva, with foreword by the President of the Auditing Court of Portugal, Guilherme d’Oliveira Martins.

It was edited by Jack Soifer, with co-authors Francisco B. Weinholtz, John Wolf, Stefan de Vylder, Armindo Palma, Luis Silva, Henrique Neto and Viriato Soromenho-Marques.

UK envoy upbeat about U.K.'s oldest allies

jillgallard2Jill Gallard, who has just completed her three-year tenure as the UK’s Ambassador to Lisbon, says that while  Portugal still faces formidable economic problems, in some ways the country is better off than when she first arrived.

Mrs Gallard gave us a cogent appraisal of the current state of affairs just before leaving for London to take up her new post at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office as Human Resources director.