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Timeline | 1945-1973
Timeline | 1974-1975
Timeline | 1976
Timeline | 1976-1977
Timeline | 1977-1985
Timeline | 1986-2017
Timeline 1945-1973
1945
End of the 2nd World War and creation of the United Nations.
1948
The Organisation for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) is created.
The European Movement is created, with Duncan Sandys as President and Winston Churchill, Alcide de Gasperi and Paul-Henri Spaak as Honorary Presidents.
The General Assembly of the United Nations votes in favour of Portugal’s admission.
The Council of Europe is created, with its headquarters in Strasbourg.
The North Atlantic Treaty is signed, in Washington, creating the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Portugal is one of its founding members.
1951
The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) is created.
The European Economic Community (EEC) is created.
1955
Portugal is admitted to the United Nations.
1957
The Portuguese Government sends a memorandum to the Interim Committee of the Six signatory countries, calling their attention for the consequences that the Treaty of Rome coming into force would have on colonial production.
1961
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is created.
The Colonial War begins with a revolt started in Northern Angola by the Union of the Populations of Angola (UPA).
1968
The President of the Republic, Américo Tomás, removes Oliveira Salazar from office and appoints Marcello Caetano President of the Council of Ministers.
1970
Negotiations at ministerial level begin between Portugal and the EEC.
1971
Negotiations begin between Portugal and the European Common Market.
1972
Signing of the Portugal-EEC Free Trade Agreement and the Portugal-ECSC Agreement.
Timeline 1974-1975
1974
A military coup carried out by the MFA (Armed Forces Movement) overthrows the dictatorship. A National Salvation Junta is created, chaired by General António de Spínola.
The first Labour Day, First of May, International Workers’ Day, enjoyed in freedom.
General António de Spínola is sworn in as President of the Republic.
The First Provisional Government takes office, headed by Adelino da Palma Carlos. Mário Soares takes over the Foreign Affairs portfolio.
The Second Provisional Government takes office, headed by Vasco Gonçalves. Mário Soares stays on as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Frustrated attempt of a public demonstration in support of the President of the Republic, which entered history under the name “Silent Majority”.
General Spínola resigns from the Presidency of the Republic, and is replaced by General Francisco da Costa Gomes.
The Third Provisional Government takes office. Vasco Gonçalves stays on as Prime Minister and Mário Soares remains Minister of Foreign Affairs.
1975
Failed attempt of coup carried out by military associated with Spínola.
The Council of the Revolution and the Assembly of the MFA are formally instituted. The National Salvation Junta, the Council of State and the Council of the Twenty are abolished.
Banks are nationalized.
The Fourth Provisional Government takes office, headed by Vasco Gonçalves. Mário Soares is Minister without Portfolio.
The Platform for a Constitutional Agreement is signed (1st MFA-Parties Pact). The signatory parties are: PS, PPD, PCP, CDS, MDP, FSP (Socialist Party, Popular-Democratic Party, Portuguese Communist Party, Democratic and Social Centre, Portuguese Democratic Movement / Democratic Electoral Commission, Popular-Socialist Front).
First free elections, by direct and universal suffrage, in Portugal. The Socialist Party (PS) is the main winner of the elections for the Constituent Assembly, with 37.9% of the votes.
The Council of the Revolution calls to itself all political and military power within a Directory formed by Costa Gomes, Vasco Gonçalves and Otelo Saraiva de Carvalho.
The Fifth Provisional Government takes office. Vasco Gonçalves remains Prime Minister. The Socialist Party (PS) and the Social-Democratic Party (PSD) are left out of the Government.
The Sixth Provisional Government takes office, headed by Pinheiro de Azevedo. Mário Soares is not a member of the Government.
The 25th of November and the end of the PREC (the Ongoing Revolutionary Process).
Timeline 1976
1976
Meeting of the International Monetary Fund's Interim Committee in Kingston, Jamaica. The Jamaica Agreements mark a first phase of reform of the international monetary system.
The renegotiation of the agreement signed in 1972 between Portugal and the EEC begins.
The reviewed version of the Platform for a Constitutional Agreement is signed (the 2nd MFA-Parties Pact).
The Constituent Assembly approves the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic.
The first free legislative elections for the Assembly of the Republic. The PS gets the highest percentage of votes, with 34.9%.
Ramalho Eanes is elected President of the Republic in the first free elections, by direct and universal suffrage, for the Presidency of the Republic.
Adolfo Suárez is appointed President of the Government of Spain by King Juan Carlos.
Mário Soares takes office as Prime Minister of the 1st Constitutional Government.
Timeline 1976-1977
1976
Portugal is admitted to the Council of Europe and signs the European Convention on Human Rights.
Mário Soares is elected vice-president of the Socialist International.
The Assembly of the Republic empowers the Portuguese Government to apply for Portugal’s accession to the European Communities.
Mário Soares receives the International League for Human Rights award.
The first municipal elections are held in Portugal. The PS gets the highest percentage of votes.
1977
The European Council meets in Rome. The European Community commemorates the twentieth anniversary of the signature of the Treaties of Rome.
Timeline 1977-1985
1977
Portugal submits a formal application for accession to the European Communities (ECSC, EEC and EAEC).
The CIE is created (Committee for European Integration).
Following the resignation of Medeiros Ferreira, Mário Soares takes over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
1978
The 2nd Constitutional Government, formed by a PS-CDS alliance, takes office, headed by Mário Soares.
The Portuguese Government closes an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The EEC Council of Ministers approves Portugal’s application for accession.
The 3rd Constitutional Government takes office, headed by Alfredo Nobre da Costa.
The 4th Constitutional Government takes office, headed by Carlos Alberto Mota Pinto.
1979
The 5th Constitutional Government takes office, headed by Maria de Lurdes Pintasilgo.
1980
The 6th Constitutional Government takes office, headed by Francisco Sá Carneiro.
The Prime Minister, Francisco Sá Carneiro, and the Minister of Defence, Adelino Amaro da Costa, die in a plane crash.
1981
The 7th Constitutional Government takes office, headed by Pinto Balsemão.
François Mitterrand wins the presidential elections in France. Mário Soares is re-elected Secretary-General of the PS.
The 8th Constitutional Government takes office, headed by Pinto Balsemão.
1982
Mário Soares returns to Lisbon from a mission to the Middle East, where he headed a Socialist International delegation.
Felipe González takes office as Prime Minister of Spain.
1983
The 9th Constitutional Government takes office, headed by Mário Soares and stemming from an agreement between the PS and the PSD.
1984
During the Fontainebleau Summitt, François Mitterrand announces that Portugal’s accession to the EEC will take place in January 1986.
1985
Jacques Delors becomes President of the European Commission, a position he will hold until January 1995.
The European Council approves the accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Communities.
Timeline 1986-2017
1986
Spain and Portugal formally join the European Community.
Mário Soares wins the presidential elections, becoming the first civilian to occupy the office of President of the Republic since the fall of the First Republic, in 1926.
Signing of the Single European Act.
1987
The Erasmus program is launched, with Portugal’s participation.
1989
Fall of the Berlin Wall.
1991
Mário Soares is re-elected President of the Republic.
1992
Portugal assumes, for the first time, the Presidency of the European Union. The escudo enters the European Monetary System (EMS).
Signing of the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty), establishing the creation of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the introduction of the European single currency.
1995
The Schengen Agreement comes into force.
1997
Mário Soares is elected President of the European Movement, succeeding Valéry Giscard d’Estaing.
The Treaty of Amsterdam is signed.
1999
The single currency – the Euro – is officially launched.
Mário Soares heads the Socialist Party’s list to the European elections. He is elected Member of the European Parliament, and serves one term.
2001
The Treaty of Nice is signed.
2002
Independency of East Timor.
2007
The Treaty of Lisbon is signed, at the Jerónimos Monastery.
2012
The European Union is awarded the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize.
2017
Mário Soares expires.

Fighting the Dictatorship
in Portugal and in Europe

Mário Soares fought against the Portuguese dictatorship from a very young age. He became involved in opposition movements, joined the Portuguese Communist Party, wrote and co-signed the main manifestos against the regime, took active part in the candidacies of Norton de Matos and Humberto Delgado for the Presidency of the Republic, was founder and leader of Acção Socialista Portuguesa (Portuguese Socialist Action) and of the Socialist Party and, in the ranks of the democratic opposition, was a candidate for the legislative elections.

For all this, he was arrested 12 times, deported to the island of São Tomé by order of Salazar, and became a political exile, in Paris, since 1970. The European issue was present in his thinking and reflections and was behind the battles he fought. Mário Soares believed that the struggle for a free and democratic Portugal implied a European Portugal, the same way that the European option could not be fully materialized without fulfilling the first premise.

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Hence his denunciation of the Portuguese authoritarian regime to the international community, particularly seeking the support of the Member States of the European Community and of the great figures of European democracies. His voice of protest and indignation against a Europe that showed complacency towards dictatorships was heard in many addresses at congresses and conferences, especially those organized under the aegis of the Socialist International, the European Socialist Parties, or the European Federalist Movement. Let us especially mention the speech he gave at the Council of Europe, in 1970, referring to the violation of human rights in Portugal, and in which he stated: “We, as democrats, wish to join Europe – because it is in our best interest, as well as in the interest of democratic Europe”.

Mário Soares made this position clear also in his writings, in the book Portugal Amordaçado (“Portugal’s Struggle for Liberty”), which he published in France in 1972, and in the various articles he wrote for the national and international press. In one of those articles, which at the time was cut by the Portuguese censorship, he stated: “I am in favour of a Europe of workers, one that will have to be built gradually, by developing democracy in each European country. I believe that the correct attitude for left-wing political parties is to join the construction of Europe”.

In 1973 he founded the Socialist Party (PS, Partido Socialista), laying down in his initial program the foundations of a European policy, choosing to get closer to Europe as an instrument to transform a country that had been living under a dictatorship for almost five decades.

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“(...) a necessidade de construir, efetivamente, a Europa, sem exclusão da Inglaterra, porque só a Europa poderá ser um factor de estabilização política essencial num mundo dividido e que os dois super grandes cada vez menos controlam e que se revela cada vez mais sujeito a vários pólos de atração.”

Mário Soares

A Mário Soares’ manuscript for a feature story in the República newspaper, titled “Fogo Solto… A Europa e o terceiro mundo”. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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Não só a falta de liberdades públicas torna o ar do nosso pobre País verdadeiramente irrespirável. O próprio sistema corporativo, que em boa parte é responsável pela anquilose da economia portuguesa, é completamente inaceitável pela Europa do Mercado Comum.

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Como poderá a CEE acolher Portugal com um governo que aplica métodos profundamente antidemocráticos?

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Portugal Amordaçado. Testemunho Incompleto (author’s edition), original Portuguese version of the book by Mário Soares Le Portugal Bailloné (“Portugal’s Struggle for Liberty”); front cover on the right. 1972. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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A Europa está a construir-se na ausência de Portugal

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“I am in favour of a Europe of workers, and not a Europe of trusts”. Typographic proofs of an interview granted by Mário Soares in Madrid, on April 30th, 1972, to a journalist of the República newspaper, with a note indicating its publication was forbidden by the Censorship. June 2nd, 1972. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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Draft of a letter, written by Mário Soares, to be sent by the Governing Committee of the Portuguese Socialist Action to François Mitterrand, asking the leaders of the European Socialist parties to support the struggle for democracy in Portugal. 1973. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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Mário Soares’ manuscript, “Change Life. Destroy the System. Build a new Life”, containing ideas and suggestions for the Socialist Party’s program. 1973. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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The 25th of April and the Construction of Democracy próximo

The 25th of Apriland the Construction of Democracy

Mário Soares was the first political exile to return to Portugal after the Armed Forces Movement coup that, on April 25th, 1974, toppled the dictatorship. He arrived in Lisbon on the 28th, travelling on the “freedom train”, and there was a crowd waiting that greeted and cheered him.

The times that followed led Soares to assert himself more and more as a European leader, at the same time that he became the Portuguese politician with greater international recognition. After the rally that took place on the 1st of May, he was given the task of obtaining international recognition for the Portuguese revolution, by visiting the main European capitals, where he met François Mitterrand, Harold Wilson, Olof Palme, Willy Brandt, Joop Den Uyl, and Trygve Bratteli.

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Newscast for the day 25th of April, 1974.

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“A hora não é para a realização de uma política partidária mas sim para uma política da mais ampla unidade das forças democráticas, das forças do progresso para, unidos, fazermos frente aos gravíssimos problemas que o país neste momento enfrenta”

Mário Soares, 28 de abril de 1974

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Being appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of the first three Provisional Governments (1974-1975), he developed a wide-ranging diplomatic action in order to open Portugal to the outside, establishing relations with countless countries, and started the decolonization process, for which he had fought so hard. In September 1974, speaking for the first time before the General Assembly of the United Nations, he said: “I want to make it very clear that the free and democratic Portugal we are building, with great difficulties, but encouraged by the confidence shown by our entire people, now begins to feel proudly accompanied”.

Establishing deeper commercial and political relations with the Member States of the European Economic Community (EEC) was a priority. Aware of the Portuguese economy’s delicate situation, Soares developed a skilful approach to the EEC, highlighting the country’s position as a link between Europe and Africa. At the same time, the contacts established were translated into international support, particularly from European socialists to the Socialist Party, a young party still being shaped.

In a period during which in Portugal political-military clashes became more intense, Mário Soares asserted himself as the better-known political face of the defence put up in favour of a pluralist democracy for the future of the country. He was the leader of the party that won the first free Portuguese elections – for the Constituent Assembly, on April 25th, 1975 – leaving no doubt as to where he stood, namely in the conflicts that pitted him against the Prime Minister, Vasco Gonçalves, and the leader of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP), Álvaro Cunhal. The end of the revolution, on November 25th, 1975, and the institutionalization of democracy brought about the political and social conditions for Mário Soares and the Socialist Party to place a future accession to the European Communities as a major objective.

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Esse Portugal renovado deixou de ser um país hostil e reticente à ONU e relapso no cumprimento das obrigações que lhe cabem. É hoje um país desejoso de participar plenamente na vida internacional, acatando as recomendações das Nações Unidas, e de reentrar com total boa- fé no concerto das nações, aí marcando a posição a que a sua velha cultura e a sua história multissecular lhe dão direito.

“O governo português considera que deve poder tornar-se membro do Conselho da Europa desde que se realizem eleições livre para a Assembleia Constituinte. Com efeito, não só essas eleições serão o indício comprovativo fundamental da existência de uma democracia pluralista (...)"

Speech by Mário Soares at the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe, September 28th, 1974.

O nosso objetivo a longo prazo é a integração na CEE

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1976 Europe with Us próximo

1976Europe with Us

The European option indelibly marked the Socialist Party’s campaign for the 1976 legislative elections. Full and immediate accession to the EEC was inscribed in the “Program for a PS Government” as a fundamental and strategic goal, and the slogan created for the campaign endorsed that path: all over the country, from north to south, by the side of the roads, A Europa Connosco (“Europe with Us”) was present in flags, posters, stickers and, above all, in speeches delivered at large rallies or improvised gatherings, but always with a high influx of people.

This strategy’s highest moment took place in March 1976 with the organization of a Summit at the Crystal Palace, in Porto, with the same motto: “Europe with Us”. The PS meant to make Porto the socialist capital of Europe and, therefore, invited the main European socialist and social democratic leaders, who accepted the challenge. During three days, Willy Brandt, François Mitterrand, Bruno Kreisky, Felipe González, Francesco de Martino, Josep Den Uyl, Olof Palme, and Hans Janitschek addressed a pavilion completely full of people.

In a truly historic event, Portugal’s path towards the European Communities gained strength and the PS acquired a national and European recognition that let it further consolidate itself. Before the participants in the congress, Soares declared: “The new Portugal is deeply committed to the transformation of Portuguese society on democratic and socialist bases. To rethink Portugal and its future involves rethinking the Europe which Portugal wants to join.”

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"Somos europeus, sentimo-nos europeus e queremos, nós portugueses, que o nosso país faça finalmente ouvir a sua voz e participe activamente na construção da Europa. O novo Portugal está profundamente empenhado na transformação da sociedade portuguesa em bases democráticas e socialistas. Repensar Portugal e o seu futuro passa pelo repensar da Europa em que Portugal se quer vir a integrar".

A meeting of Socialist International for the creation of the Committee of Friendship and Solidarity for Democracy and Socialism in Portugal. Stockholm, August 22nd, 1975. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.
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Speech by Mário Soares on occasion of the inauguration of the 1st Constitutional Government, at the Palace of Belém. July 23rd, 1976. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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On April 25th, 1976, the PS again won the elections. In July, Mário Soares assumed the post of Prime Minister, and, without surprise, joining the European Council and the accession to the EEC were inscribed as priorities in the First Constitutional Government’s program. In view of the doubts raised by some politicians and economists regarding Portugal’s conditions to move forward with the application for accession, Soares did not hesitate and endeavoured to collect the support needed to achieve that great objective.

Round table of Socialist International, at the library of the Stock Exchange Palace, in Porto, with the most prominent figures of European Social Democracy and Socialism. March 14th, 1977. RTP Archive.

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Mário Soares receives a decoration from the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Georg Kahn-Ackermann. The photo shows P. Farinha, Georg Kahn-Ackermann, Mário Soares, Henrique de Barros and Medeiros Ferreira. Lisbon, May 15th, 1976. Historical Archive of the Socialist Party.

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Copy of a statement issued by the Government of the Portuguese Republic adhering to the Statute of the Council of Europe. Lisbon, September 22nd, 1976. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

The European Rounds próximo

The European Rounds

In September 1976, Portugal joined the Council of Europe, having meanwhile signed an Additional Protocol to the 1972 Agreement with the European Economic Community and, subsequently, the European Convention on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, with the United Nations.

On the way to join Europe, diplomatic action was intensifying on all fronts.

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Telegram from the Portuguese Mission to the EEC, informing that the Council of the European Communities and the Permanent Representatives have agreed on a common platform for discussions with the Portuguese Prime Minister. February 9th, 1977. Historical-Diplomatic Archive.

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Headline of the Diário de Lisboa for February 14th, 1977. FMSMB / Ruella Ramos Archive.

Prime Minister Mário Soares leaves for London, where he will start his round of visits to the capitals of EEC Member States, aiming to promote Portugal’s accession. February 14th, 1977. RTP Archive.

Having embraced Portugal’s accession to the EEC as one of the great programmatic objectives of the First Government, Prime Minister Mário Soares sought to obtain support from EEC Member States. To this purpose, he met with the respective heads of state during two rounds of visits he made to European capitals, along with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Medeiros Ferreira, and the President of the Commission for European Integration, Vítor Constâncio.

The first round started on February 15th, in London. Prime Minister James Callaghan’s response could not have been better: “We know that there will be many practical difficulties to overcome in building Portugal’s future in the Community. But you will have the full support of the British Government in your efforts, and we look forward to the moment when Portugal will be able to take its full place within the European Community”. The round of visits ended in Brussels, on March 12th. Despite the obstacles evoked and the challenges posed to the Portuguese Government, the balance was quite positive. The Prime Minister now faced this “enormous task”, in the words of the Financial Times.

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1ª Ronda
2ª Ronda
Mapa completo
1ª Ronda

Viagem Senhor Primeiro Ministro e Ministro realizaram à Grã-Bretanha, Irlanda, Dinamarca e Itália, deparou, por parte governos daqueles países, com grande receptividade, expressa aliás publicamente, relativamente intenção portuguesa adesão Comunidades Europeias.

A telegram sent to all Portuguese embassies and missions regarding the visits made by Prime Minister Mário Soares to European capitals. February 24th, 1977. Historical-Diplomatic Archive.

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London February 14th

É preciso que a Europa seja, não um clube de nações egoisticamente voltadas para a proteção da sua riqueza, mas uma larga associação de povos para quem a democracia e a salvaguarda dos direitos individuais constituam valores indeclináveis e superiores. O novo Portugal democrático deve ter aí o seu lugar, e com a certeza de que são chamados ao cumprimento de um dever que os portugueses lançam hoje à Europa um esperançoso apelo à sua solidariedade”.

A speech by Prime Minister Mário Soares during his visit to London, as part of his round of visits to the capitals of EEC Member States. London, February 14th, 1977.
FMSMB/Arquivo Mário Soares.

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Dublin February 15th-16th
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Diário de Lisboa for February 16th, 1977. FMSMB/Arquivo Ruella Ramos.

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A speech by Prime Minister Mário Soares during his visit to Dublin, as part of his round of visits to the capitals of EEC Member States. February 15th, 1977. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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Copenhagen February 16th-17th
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Speech by Prime Minister Mário Soares during his visit to Copenhagen, as part of his round of visits to the capitals of EEC Member States. February 17th, 1977.

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Front page of A Capital: “Copenhagen, a stop with no obstacles for Mário Soares", referring to Mário Soares’ visit to Copenhagen (his round of visits covering the “nine”). February 17th, 1977.

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Rome February 18th
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Speech by Prime Minister Mário Soares during his visit to Rome, as part of his round of visits to the capitals of EEC Member States, given at a dinner offered by Giulio Andreotti. February 18th, 1977.

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Diário de Lisboa for February 21st, 1977.

Mário Soares, Prime Minister, leaves for the second part of a tour during which he will contact several EEC Member States concerning Portugal’s accession to the EEC. March 6th, 1977. RTP Archive.

2ª Ronda

Como balanço final visita poder-se-á dizer objectivo a ela presidia foi atingido, tendo nove países CEE mostrado grande compreensão e apoio, publicamente expressos, nossa intenção de solicitar, nos termos Tratado Roma, nossa adesão às Comunidades Europeias.

A telegram sent to all Portuguese embassies and missions regarding the visits made by Prime Minister Mário Soares to European capitals. February 24th, 1977. Historical-Diplomatic Archive.

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Paris March 7th
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Arrival of Prime Minister Mário Soares to Paris. First stopover in a second phase of visits to the capitals of EEC Member States. March 6th, 1977. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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Diário de Lisboa for March 7th, 1977. FMSMB / Ruella Ramos Archive.

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Bonn March 8th
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Speech by Prime Minister Mário Soares during his visit to Bonn, as part of his round of visits to the capitals of EEC Member States. Bonn, March 8th, 1977. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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Strasbourg March 9th

European Parliament visit

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The Hague March 9th
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Speech by Prime Minister Mário Soares. The Hague, March 9th. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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Luxembourg March 10th
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Speech by Prime Minister Mário Soares during his visit to Luxembourg, as part of his round of visits to the capitals of EEC Member States. March 10th, 1977. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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Brussels March 11th-12th
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An article in Diário de Lisboa, “Operation EEC. Mário Soares in Brussels”, published on March 11th, 1977. FMSMB / Ruella Ramos Archive.

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Diário de Lisboa, March 14th 1977. FMSMB / Ruella Ramos Archive.

Returning to Portugal, Mário Soares reported to the country that “all the misgivings put to us were more or less overcome”, revealing the support and understanding he had received from the various countries. There was no doubt that it was time to move forward. After presenting the results of the European rounds and obtaining the assent of the Assembly of the Republic, it was up to Prime Minister Mário Soares to address, to the President of the Council of the European Communities, Portugal’s formal application for accession to the European Communities (ECSC, EEC and EAEC).

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Portugal’s formal application for accession to the European Communities (ECSC, EEC and EAEC). A letter sent by Prime Minister Mário Soares to the President of the Council of the European Communities. March 28th, 1977.

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Outline of the initial declaration of Portugal’s application for accession to the European Communities. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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Heading
for the EEC
próximo

Heading
for the EEC

Portugal’s application for accession to the European Communities was formally accepted on April 5th, 1977. Formal negotiations began in October 1978, a process that included Spain, since it was decided that both countries “should join the EEC simultaneously”.

Work meetings followed one another, as did visits to Portugal by EEC politicians and technicians. The weak Portuguese economic development was going to be one of the most complex issues. But many other matters were the subject of intense negotiations, with particular emphasis on social issues, agriculture, fisheries or transport and infrastructures.

The negotiations calendar underwent changes, as did the estimates as to the date the process would be completed. The succeeding heads of Portuguese Governments and the holders of the Foreign Affairs portfolio multiplied the contacts with their European counterparts, trying to speed up negotiations.

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A letter from President of the Council of the European Communities, David Owen, to Mário Soares, acknowledging Portugal’s application for accession to the European Coal and Steel Community. April 5th, 1977. FMSMB/ Mário Soares Archive.

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A letter from Mário Soares to the President of the Commission of the European Communities, Roy Jenkins, inviting him to visit Portugal and thanking his efforts on behalf of Portugal’s accession to the European Communities. July 11th, 1977. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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Speech by Prime Minister Mário Soares during the dinner offered to Gaston Thorn, President of the Commission of the European Communities. July 2nd, 1984. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

“Como português e como europeu confio que a Europa que todos desejamos construir não aceitará ser um simples clube de países ricos mas antes uma verdadeira comunidade, largamente aberta sobre o exterior e fundamentalmente solidária entre as partes que por mandato da geografia e da história necessariamente a compõem."

Speech by Prime Minister Mário Soares at the opening of the College of Europe’s academic year, titled “Portugal and the European Community: is enlargement incompatible with deepening?” October 3rd, 1977.

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Official visit to Portugal by Simone Veil, President of the European Parliament. May 19th, 1981. RTP Archive.

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Telegrams from the Portuguese Embassy in Brussels, signed by Ambassador Siqueira Freire, and from the Portuguese Mission to the Communities, signed by Luís Roma de Albuquerque. June 2nd, 1978. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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Speech by Prime Minister Mário Soares at the inauguration of the 9th Constitutional Government. June 9th, 1983. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

In 1983, taking over again as Prime Minister (IX Government), Mário Soares, dissatisfied with the sluggishness of the process, put pressure on the European Community to take a decision regarding Portugal’s accession.

With Jaime Gama, in his role as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ernâni Lopes, as Minister for Finance and Planning, negotiations sped up and the manifold files were closed one by one. In October 1984, after the Fontainebleau Summit, Mário Soares signed, in Dublin, the “Constat d’Accord” that marked the end of the negotiations and ratified the date for Portugal’s accession to the EEC: January 1st, 1986. The final political agreement was reached in Brussels in March 1985. At last, the following month, at the Assembly of the Republic, the Prime Minister closed the debate on this fundamental moment of Portugal’s recent history.

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A letter from Mário Soares inviting Lorenzo Natali to visit Portugal. Lisbon, September 20th, 1977. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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"Este acto solene culmina sete anos de esforcos persistentes. Portugal, terminado o ciclo imperial da sua historia, reafirma a sua qualidade de país europeu, reivindicando o direito de cooperar activamente na construção de uma Europa unida que possa ter uma voz mais audivel no concerto internacional."

Speech by Mário Soares on the occasion of signing the Constat d’Accord, in Dublin, October 24th, 1984.

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News article published in Diário de Lisboa, on October 25th, 1984, “Portugal has successfully concluded the process of its accession to the EEC ¬– Mário Soares declared in Dublin”. FMSMB / Ruella Ramos Archive.

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Press conference about Portugal’s accession to the EEC, with the presence of Mário Soares and the Government members involved in the discussions, Almeida Santos and Jaime Gama, among others. April 1st, 1985.
FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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Accession day June 12th, 1985 próximo

Accession dayJune 12th, 1985

On June 12th, 1985, Prime Minister Mário Soares signed the Treaty of Accession to the EEC.

Considering the imminent fall of the Central Bloc Government (PS plus PSD, the Social Democratic Party), the Portuguese political situation was very instable. Although the date of the ceremony had already been set, it only became effectively possible after conducting negotiations with the newly elected leader of the PSD, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, who wanted a postponement. In the end, the Social-Democratic ministers accepted to tender their resignations only the day after the signing. Thus, Portugal’s Treaty of Accession – together with that of Spain – was signed on the scheduled day.

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Speech by Mário Soares during the signing ceremony of Portugal’s Treaty of Accession to the EEC, held at the Jerónimos Monastery. Lisbon, June 12th, 1985. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

“A Europa das Comunidades para nós não será tão só um mercado comum de bens e serviços. Vemo-la como um espaço de liberdade, de respeito pelos direitos do homem e de humanismo, mas também como uma entidade política autónoma e coesa, a que competirá uma ação de liderança moderadora na cena internacional em favor da paz”.

Speech by Mário Soares during the signing ceremony of Portugal’s Treaty of Accession to the EEC. June 12th, 1985.

The signing ceremony was held at the Jerónimos Monastery, after a welcoming session at the Tower of Belém and another session to present greetings to the President of the Republic. The EEC delegation consisted of its President, Jacques Delors, Commissioner Lorenzo Natali, Secretary-General Emile Noel and other figures.

The treaty was signed by Prime Minister Mário Soares, Deputy Prime Minister Rui Machete, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jaime Gama, and the Minister for Finance and Planning, Ernâni Lopes.

It was an historic moment for both Portugal and Europe, as laid down by Mário Soares’ speech: “I am honoured to have been the one to sign, on behalf of the Government of the Republic, Portugal’s application for accession to the EEC, in March 1977. Eight years later, after closing the negotiation process, which was lengthy and difficult, but that, as everyone recognizes, was successful, I now have the historic opportunity to sign the Treaty of Accession. We did it!”

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Official signing ceremony of Portugal’s Treaty of Accession to the EEC. Lisbon, June 12th, 1985. RTP Archive.

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Diário de Lisboa June 12th, 1985. FMSMB / Ruella Ramos Archive.

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Prime Minister Mário Soares signs Portugal’s Treaty of Accession to the European Economic Community (EEC), during a ceremony held at the Jerónimos Monastery, in Lisbon. June 12th, 1985. FMSMB / Isabel Soares Archive. Photo: Alfredo Cunha.

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More Europe próximo

More Europe

Mário Soares was elected President of the Republic in 1986. He monitored the process of Portugal’s integration into the European Communities, intervening at crucial moments to uphold his political vision of Europe, often as a counterbalance to the ideas of the contemporary Government, which he thought was too concerned with economic aspects.

Soares continually insisted that Portugal would have to be a key player in Europe, alongside the other Member States. A voice heard and respected, that contributed to the development of the European project. He underlined his idea of ​​Portugal’s original contribution to the European Union: a dual and reciprocal role as Europe’s link with Brazil and with Portuguese-speaking African countries, but also as Europe’s representative to all those countries.

In Mário Soares’ thinking, the Europe of freedom, equality and fraternity was always present, a Europe of citizens, culture and critical thinking, values ​​that he proclaimed in successive public speeches and by assuming and performing various offices. He was Chairman of the Committee of Wise Persons of the Council of Europe, Member of the European Parliament and President of the European Movement International, he defended a federalist Europe and the proposal of a European Constitution.

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A speech by President of the Republic Mário Soares at the European Parliament. July 9th, 1986. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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The Robert Schuman Prize is awarded to Mário Soares. June 15th, 1986. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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The President of the Republic, Mário Soares, delivers a speech before the General Assembly of the United Nations, on occasion of the organization’s 50th anniversary. New York, June 10th, 1995.

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President of the Republic Mário Soares addresses the Council of Europe. Strasbourg, September 18th, 1990. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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Speech by Mário Soares, President of the Republic, delivered before the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, during his visit to Strasbourg. February 1st, 1995. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

Let us remember that the Welfare States, created by the post-war, Democracy as we used to know it, and the Rule of Law are all being called into question and require a profound change of policy, as soon as possible. The dilemma is simple: either we fight unemployment, widespread poverty and recession and secure the Welfare State, in all its aspects, while there is time, or the European Union will fall into the abyss (...). I hope this does not happen, because the World – and common sense – certainly does not want the European Union, the most original and beneficial political project for the people that has ever existed, to disappear, with the greater danger of the World becoming entangled in a new global conflict.

Mário Soares, A Esperança é Necessária (Hope Is Needed), 2013.

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News article published in the Jornal de Notícias for February 2nd, 1999, announcing Mário Soares as head of the Socialist Party’s list for the European elections. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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Notícia do Diário de Notícias de 10 de janeiro de 1999 sobre a reunião do grupo "Notre Europe", presidida por Jacques Delors, que teve lugar na Fundação Mário Soares no mês seguinte, a 19 e 20 de fevereiro de 1999. FMSMB / Arquivo Mário Soares.

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A letter from journalist Vicente Jorge Silva to Mário Soares, published in the Diário de Notícias for January 29th, 1999. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

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News article published in the Diário de Notícias for March 20th, 1997. The following day, Mário Soares is elected President of the European Movement. FMSMB / Mário Soares Archive.

Soares wrote, thought and debated about Europe until the end of his life. In recent years he was very critical and disenchanted with the European project, considering that it had been captured by neoliberal doctrines, and was no longer a project centred on freedom, unity and solidarity. He believed that this was destroying Europe and that it jeopardized democracy itself, and therefore it was necessary to recover the roots that presided over the creation of the European Community and its founders’ ideals.

He always believed in Europe as the future: “In the face of difficulties, we must defend more Europe. (...) Let us promote the ‘Europe of Citizens’ and the ‘Social Europe’, insisting on the reform and improvement of the European social model, as one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century that cannot be called into question, in the 21st century, by dubious economic criteria”.