Denouncing and repudiating the actions of destabilisation and provocation that the US promotes, cynically instrumentalising the harmful consequences of the blockade for which they are responsible, the PCP highlights the example of courage and dignity of Cuba and of the Cuban people and calls for solidarity with the Cuban Revolution and the demand for an end to the US blockade against Cuba, as reiterated by the United Nations General Assembly last June.

The Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union confirmed, in essence, the alignment of the Portuguese government with the guidelines and policies of the European Union, namely in their most negative features, which are determined by the interests of the main powers and major economic and financial groups.

Comrades,

We are holding our Parliamentary Conference with a programme covering the entire Lisbon Metropolitan Area, paying particular attention to its problems and of the people who live and work here, but also with an eye on the situation in the country, on the living conditions of the workers and of the people, and determined by the aim of giving them better solutions with our initiative and proposal.

I would like to begin by greeting you for this initiative to debate, in the context of the Centenary of our Party, the everyday struggles.

A special greeting both to those who took a little time from their studies in this final stage of the school year, and for many in the crucial stage of university access, or to those who, at the end of a long day’s work, are here with us to debate the problems, interests and aspirations of the youth.