SPECIAL EDITION: Embassy of Portugal and Consular Relations

Since its founding in 1991, the strengthening of the relationship between the Republic of Portugal and the United States has been a primary pillar of PALCUS' mission. In this special edition, PALCUS would like to highlight its special working relationship with the Embassy of Portugal and its Consulates toward that end.

Link to the Website of the Embassy of Portugal http://www.embassyportugal-us.org/highlights  

WELCOME to the New Ambassador in 2011

PALCUS hosted a reception at the Virginia Portuguese Cultural Center in Manassas, Virginia, to welcome the new Ambassador of the Portuguese Republic to the United States, Dr. Nuno Brito. The event, attended by PALCUS members and friends, included PALCUS Chairman Fernando G. Rosa who welcomed the new ambassador. Dr. Brito was named to the position vacated by the departure of Ambassador João de Vallera to London. Also attending the event were directors and members of the Cultural Center, and staff of the Embassy of Portugal.

H.E. Nuno Filipe Alves Salvador e Brito

Ambassador Nuno Brito presented the Letters of Credence accrediting him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Portugal to the United States of America on February 23, 2011, to President Barack Obama.  

From 2005 until his appointment, his posts have included Director General for European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Co-Chair of the Luso-Spanish Commission for Trans-border Cooperation, Counselor of the Portuguese Economic and Social Council, Political Director at Portugal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Co-Chair of the U.S.-Portuguese Standing Bilateral Commission.

Past experience also includes service in the cabinet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (1993-1995), Chief of the Cabinet of the Secretary of Defense (1995-1997), Deputy Permanent Representative of Portugal at the United Nations (1999-2001), and Principal Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister (2001-2005).

Upon presenting his credentials to President Obama, the Ambassador said he would work toward deepening bilateral relations between the two countries in the fields of science, technology and energy. He also addressed political and military ties.

Ambassador Brito joined Portugal's Diplomatic Service in March 1984. He previously served at the Portuguese Embassy in Washington, DC in 1987. He obtained a Law Degree from the University of Lisbon. Ambassador Brito was born in Angola on August 5, 1959, is married and has two children. Source: http://www.washdiplomat.com/

DaPonte, Speaker Gordon Fox and House Finance Chair Helio Melo. In response, the ambassador said, "I feel that it is    very important that Portuguese-Americans participate in the civic life and take part in the decision making mechanism."  

    
(L to R) José António Galaz, Social Counselor to the Ambassador; Ambassador Brito; Marie Fraley, PALCUS Vice-Chair; Vice-Consul of Portugal to Providence J. Leonel Teixeira (Photo: Maria José)

Marie R. Fraley, Vice-Chair, brought greetings from PALCUS on behalf of Chairman Fernando Rosa. She briefly described PALCUS' mission and objectives and took the opportunity to announce that US Senator Patrick Toomey (PA-R) had agreed to co-chair the Friends of Portugal in the Senate with US Senator Jack Reed (RI-D) longtime leader of that caucus and energetic supporter of Portuguese Americans in his home state. Marie Fraley invited Ambassador Brito to the PALCUS' 20th Anniversary Leadership Gala in November in the Washington area which he wholeheartedly and graciously accepted. Director Onesimo Almeida was also present at the ceremonies.

Prime Minister Visits New Jersey

Prime Minister Passos Coelho (Photo: LUSA)

2nd Meeting of American Legislators, Mayors and Members of City Councils of Portuguese Descent

The Embassy of Portugal, in conjunction with PALCUS, hosted the second meeting of elected officials of Portuguese descent at the Gaylord Hotel at the National Harbor, Maryland on November 12, 2011. The meeting brought together Portuguese American elected officials at state and local levels from across the United States.

The meeting began with opening remarks by Foreign Minister Dr. Paulo Portas, followed by several panel sessions comprised of elected officials, entrepreneurs and Portuguese language educators.

H.E. Anibal Cavaco Silva, President of the Republic of Portugal, hosted a luncheon in honor of Portuguese-American elected officials who attended the meeting. In this photo, President Cavaco Silva greets MA Senator Marc Pacheco. In the background are RI Sen. Daniel DaPonte, RI Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, Carlos Andrade, Antonio Frias and Minister of Foreign Affairs Paulo Portas. (Photo: Presidência da República Portuguesa)

In addition to the President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the 2nd Meeting of Elected Officials brought to the National Harbor the Secretary of State for the Communities, Dr. José Cesário; the Secretary of State for Entrepreneurship, Competitiveness and Innovation, Dr. Carlos Oliveira; Maria João Ávila, Member of the Portuguese Parliament elected by the Rest of the World Electoral district; Ambassador Nuno Brito and the Embassy staff. The event attracted a contingency of reporters from US and Portugal-based press.

PALCUS Chairman and Members Honored

Ambassador Nuno Brito hosted a reception at his residence, on Saturday, November 12th prior to the PALCUS Awards Gala where the President of Portugal presented commendations to the following individuals:

• Fernando G. Rosa, Chairman of the PALCUS Board of Directors,
• Antonio S Matinho, Publisher of Luso Americano Newspaper and PALCUS Council of 100 Member,
• Hon. M. Teresa Paiva Weed, President of the RI Senate, PALCUS member and 2010 Recipient of the Public Service Leadership Award,  
• Carlos Andrade, Entrepreneur and Proprietor of Dunkin' Donuts Franchises
• Gregory Rabassas, Translator of Portuguese Texts.

(L to R) António Matinho (Oficial da Ordem do Mérito), Fernando G. Rosa (Comendador da Ordem do Mérito), Gregory Rabassa (Comendador da Ordem do Mérito), Carlos Andrade (Comendador da Ordem do Infante D. Henrique) e Teresa Paiva-Weed (Comendadora da Ordem do Mérito) Photo courtesy of Luso-Americano

Consular Relations

Wherever PALCUS interacts with the community, consulate doors are always open to us. From coast to coast, the Consulates of Portugal have hosted forums, receptions and events to assist PALCUS in its mission of community outreach.

PALCUS is pleased to enjoy cordial working relationships with Consuls in the following jurisdictions across the United States:

Boston: Consul General Paulo Cunha Alves

Newark: Consul General Maria Amelia Paiva

New Bedford: Consul Graça Araujo Fonseca

New York: Chancellor António Pinheiro

Providence: Vice-Consul Leonel Teixeira

San Francisco: Consul General António Costa Mora

Washington, D.C.: Head of the Consular Section Luis Silva

Contact Information