Endividamento - Antonio Gaspar

PORTUGAL – Knows it better!

Now a day, Portugal it’s know by it fragile economic situation, the intervention of Triumvirate - FMI, EU and ECB – and it general problems with economic growth (negative this year and next), unemployment, public debt, external debt (Government and enterprises), internal debt (enterprises and family’s) and some others structural problems.

But, Portugal hasn’t 40 years old! Portugal didn’t be born in April, 1974, with “gillyflower Revolution”. Of course, this step was been very important in Portugal development and in way to restore it credibility in face world, above all, the end of colonies and the ancient politic regime that were the support. The “freedom way” had began there.

Portugal story – principals marks – aren’t knows by European citizens. I don’t refer US citizens, because they have a complete ignorance about Europe and particularly, about Portugal. They don’t capable to indicate in Europe map where is located Portugal! Often, make a strong confusion with Portugal and Spain; often appoint Lisbon like a Spanish town, and so on.

Europeans citizens don’t make these confusions, but they don’t know the story of Portugal.

Portugal and UK are oldest countries in Europe with actual borders. Portugal has one “story” of nine centuries that were begun in 1143 with our first king. But the highest moments of Portugal along these nine centuries, were a lot.

In June, 7, 1494, Portuguese king – João II – and Spanish Catholics Kings – Isabel and Alfonso XII – were to sign a Treaty – Tordessilas Treaty – where the World were divided into two parts – the lands outside Europe that will be discovery, half for each one country. This Treaty finishes with the hegemonic of Papacy, and makes the change for singular and secular power of national’s monarchies.

Along twelve, thirteen, fourteen and fifteen centuries, Portugal were in the vanguard of discoveries – were Portuguese’s sailors – strong men, with them fragile boats, but with a great courage - the firsts European to arrived at Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, India, Japan, Timor East, Pacific Ocean by Magellan Gate. Make trade with these regions and the catholic evangelisation.

Between 1580 and 1640, Portugal were lost it independence. The Spanish were coming and take Portuguese Crown. In 1640, 1^st December, another’s strong and great Portuguese’s, with them courage put Spanish king out side Portugal, and had to restore the Portuguese Nationality.

Begin of twenty century, were the end of monarchy system and the rise of republican system. The first 15 years of Republic, were many problems. In Twenties of twenty century, were began the Totalitarian, Oppressive and Colonialist Regime, that finish in 1974, April.

Portuguese make the transition from a repressive regime to free regime, without blood, with intelligence and diplomacy. Portugal experience can show for all world, like a big example of pacific transition between deferent’s regimes.

Portuguese language is, now a day, spoken by more than 250 millions of people in all continents – the sixth language more spoken around world.

Like you can see, Portugal is not only last 20 or 30 years.

Portugal have a very long and reach story and now like passed, Portuguese people will be done all things in way to exceed this moment of crisis and take the way of growth (GDP and employment), but too, maintain the high respect for social, human conditions, education, urbanity and civilization.

Portugal and Portuguese’s will be winner this new battle (only one more, along it story).