Portugal seeks revived ties with Kenya

Portugal  sees new opportunities in bilateral relations with Kenya as it moves to upgrade economic and cultural ties.

In an interview with the Nation, Portuguese Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Teresa Ribeiro, said deliberate steps have been taken between Nairobi and Lisbon to re-engage.

“We are aware many other friends of Kenya have expressed interest in economic and cultural relations, but we believe the unique Portuguese history with Kenya, coupled with our specific advantages, will make a difference,” Mrs Ribeiro said in her office in Lisbon.

HISTORICAL TIES

She is due in Nairobi to officiate at the Day of Portugal on Monday.

The University of Nairobi recently introduced Portuguese language studies; a Portuguese firm, JP Sa Cuoto,  is participating in the  implementation of Kenya’s school laptops programme; while Mota Engil, a contractor from the same country, is building Rwanda’s new, Sh80 billion international airport, to be completed in 2020.

Mrs Ribeiro sees these as good indicators that East Africa is opening a new page of linkages with Vasco da Gama’s country.

She believes that at a time when the world is experiencing so much hatred and extremism, countries with historical ties  can help provide solutions to global problems through cultural tolerance.

CULTURES CONVERGE

“Multiculturism, good governance, youth-friendliness, human rights and inclusiveness can help us make the world safer,” she said.

She is concerned that societies are getting increasingly polarised, especially through hate spread on social media. Despite technologies having the potential to democratise, the opposite effect is also being realised, with some communities being isolated symbolically and in reality.

“We need spaces for the world cultures to symbolically converge. When communities disappear, or retreat, the opportunity for suspicion and fear increases,” she said.