We salute the Communist Party of Turkey and the Communist Party of Greece for hosting this 21st. International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties (IMCWP) in Izmir, Turkey.
We also salute the communist parties and workers present.
Comrades,
The evolution of the international situation, which continues to be marked by great instability and uncertainty, holding serious and dangerous developments, which must not be underestimated, also clearly shows that in the face of imperialism’s exploitative and oppressive offensive, the resistance and struggle of workers and peoples in defence of their rights and sovereignty continues everywhere and in many diverse ways, proving the existence of potential for the development of the struggle for progressive and revolutionary changes.
Against the background of capitalism’s deepening structural crisis, there is a gathering of signs of deterioration in the economic and financial situation and the «announcements» of a new peak of crisis, which are used as a pretext for the worsening of the policy of exploitation and attack on democratic rights.
A complex process of rearrangement of forces at the world level is still under way, which expresses the downward trend of US relative decline and a multifaceted crisis of the process of European capitalist integration, i.e., of the European Union.
A situation in which imperialism’s most reactionary and aggressive sectors turn to fascism, interference and war as a «solution» to the difficulties and contradictions faced by capitalism, trying to take even further the exploitation of workers and the oppression of peoples.
Increasingly and openly, reactionary and undemocratic values are being promoted, paving the way for far-right and fascist forces; anti-communism, the falsification of history, the whitewashing of fascism are fostered - of which the inadmissible resolution recently adopted in the European Parliament is a particularly serious example; attacks on fundamental freedoms and rights multiply; processes of struggle and of the forces that resist exploitation and oppression are repressed and criminalised.
A situation that highlights, particularly in Europe, the role and responsibilities of social democracy in the growth of the most reactionary and warmongering forces.
Using the powerful means it owns and controls, particularly mass communication, big capital intensifies the ideological struggle, subjecting workers and peoples to lines and operations of falsification, manipulation and diversion - particularly targeting new generations – and seek to conceal capitalism’s exploitative, oppressive, aggressive, and predatory nature and cover up the class origin of the profound contradictions and problems that mark the current world situation..
Extremely serious is Imperialism’s aggressive spiral, particularly that of US imperialism - accompanied, albeit in the context of growing contradictions, by its allies, notably NATO and the European Union - aimed at destabilizing and attacking the sovereignty of countries and peoples that it considers to be an obstacle to its interests and which points to the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation as its strategic targets.
The US promotes a violent policy of extraterritorial «sanctions» and economic, financial and trade blockades aimed at imposing the isolation of various countries - such as Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea or the Russian Federation - in a complete subversion of the principles that should govern international relations, which were inscribed in the United Nations Charter and in International Law following the Victory over Nazi-fascism, which enshrined a fundamentally democratic and anti-fascist new international order that imperialism seeks to destroy.
The US is bolstering a very dangerous militarization of international relations and an arms race – which include abandoning important treaties aimed at limiting nuclear weapons – posing a huge threat to world security and peace, and which in no way should be underestimated and increases the risk of a major conflict.
Faced with the obstacles it encounters, US imperialism eschews no means - from economic warfare to direct military aggression - to seek to safeguard its global hegemonic dominance by representing, with its NATO allies and the European Union, the most serious threat facing the peoples of the world and the main enemy of the forces of social progress and peace.
The threats facing the peoples of the world are serious, and the international situation demonstrates that there are social and political forces - even those in power - that, as historical experience shows, can deter and push back imperialism’s most aggressive aims, enforce respect for the principles of the UN Charter and International Law, prevent it from unleashing war.
Comrades,
It is in this complex, serious and demanding international framework that the persistent resistance and struggle of workers and peoples for their rights and sovereignty is of fundamental importance. Resistance and struggle that is important to valorise and which develops in the most varied conditions, adopting various forms and aiming for diverse immediate objectives, inscribing potentialities for the achievement of progressive and revolutionary advances.
It is crucial to strengthen anti-imperialist struggle and internationalist solidarity, especially with those at the forefront of resisting imperialism’s offensive, as well as in defence of peace, contributing to the development of articulation, cooperation and unity in action of the patriotic, progressive and revolutionary forces, in a broad anti-imperialist front, which curbs imperialism’s offensive and paves the way for the construction of a new international order, of peace, sovereignty and social progress
Hence it is of particular importance to strengthen of the World Peace Council (WPC), the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY), the Women’s International Democratic Federation (WIDF), the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) or the International Federation of Resistance Fighters (FIR) - reaffirming their anti-imperialist and unitary character.
The evolution of the international situation confirms as essential tasks the strengthening of the international communist and revolutionary movement and its unity, cooperation and solidarity. An objective in which the IMCWPs - as a space for exchanging, debating and adopting common or converging positions and actions - are called upon to play a relevant role.
Experience shows that the rooting in their national reality and strengthening their influence in their own country are the main task and the best contribution each party can make to strengthen the international communist and revolutionary movement, to advance the emancipatory struggle of the workers and peoples of the whole world. This task is complementary and inseparable from their internationalist duties and responsibilities.
When we observe the 100th. anniversary of the creation of the Communist International, we reaffirm the importance of articulating the internationalist solidarity of the communists, naturally with different forms from those of 100 years ago, taking into account the evolution of the world situation and the experience and teachings gathered by the international communist movement.
The PCP considers that the necessary path in the deepening of reciprocal knowledge and understanding, the fraternal examination of natural differences of opinion and even divergences, the approximation of political and ideological positions, of unity in action of the international communist and revolutionary movement, means valuing the much that unites us - not what divides us - and observing the basic principles of relationship between communist parties, such as independence, equality, mutual respect or non-interference in the internal affairs of other parties.
Likewise, the PCP considers that the diversity of situations, phases and stages of the revolutionary struggle in each country, besides not being an obstacle to the indispensable unity in action against the common enemy, is an enriching factor of the experience of each and every one of the revolutionary forces.
In PCP’s view, the fight against the threat of fascism, against militarism and imperialism’s aggressions, in defence of peace and disarmament, are inseparable from the broader struggle against exploitation and oppression, for sovereignty and democracy, for social progress; are inseparable from the struggle of the workers for their class interests and the struggle of the broad social front built on the mobilisation of the working class and other anti-monopoly classes and strata - a dynamics in which the struggle for concrete and immediate goals is a basic and essential factor for resistance and the advance of social transformation, of the struggle for the strategic objective of the revolutionary overcoming of capitalism.
It is on this path of strengthening, unity, cooperation and solidarity of the international communist and revolutionary movement that the PCP remains deeply committed, seeking to contribute to overcoming persistent weaknesses and to launch the communist ideal and project in the world - the validity of which is evidenced against capitalism in deep crisis, steeped in contradictions and unable to respond to the problems and aspirations of Humanity.
Comrades,
In consonance with the common or convergent lines of action set down in the 20th. IMCWP, the PCP has carried out a diversified activity, such as:
Actions of solidarity with countries and peoples that defend their sovereignty and national independence, resisting colonialism, occupation, destabilization, blockade, aggression by imperialism, like socialist Cuba, Bolivarian Venezuela, Palestine, Syria, Western Sahara; as well as with other peoples who defend their rights and sovereignty, like in Brazil, Colombia, or Sudan.
Actions against militarism and the wars by imperialism; against US threats of escalation of confrontation in the Middle East; against NATO, demanding its dissolution, and rejecting the militarization of the EU; in defence of peace and disarmament, namely the end of nuclear weapons; for the peaceful and just settlement of international conflicts, in defence of the principles of the United Nations Charter and International Law.
Actions of denunciation and condemnation of anti-communism and solidarity with the communist parties facing persecution, as in Ukraine or Poland.
Actions condemning fascism and denouncing its class nature, the responsibilities of fascism and of imperialist powers in the launching of World War II; valorisation of the determining role of the USSR and the communists in the Victory over Nazi-fascism; condemnation of the anti-communist resolution and falsification of history adopted by the European Parliament.
Actions of solidarity with the struggles of the workers and their representative class organisations, namely those carried out by CGTP-IN, the great trade union confederation of the Portuguese workers.
Actions of solidarity with the struggles in defence of women's rights and their full equality in work and life, namely those carried out on March 8, International Women's Day.
Actions of denunciation of the predatory character of capitalism in relation to nature and the environment.
Or actions against the federalist, neoliberal and militaristic European Union and for a Europe of cooperation, social progress and peace; the Joint Appeal for elections to the European Parliament elections «For a Europe of the workers and peoples»; or the staunch defence of the principles of the confederal functioning of the European Parliament's Confederal Group GUE/NGL.
Comrades,
The PCP continues with unwavering determination the struggle for an advanced democracy, with the values of the April Revolution in the future of Portugal, an integral and inseparable part of the construction of socialism and communism.
A struggle that includes a rupture with decades of right-wing policies and for a patriotic and left-wing alternative. A patriotic alternative, because it makes a break with growing external subordination and dependence, particularly vis-à-vis the European Union, and affirms national sovereignty and sovereign economic development. A left-wing alternative, because it asserts the valorisation of labour and workers, the implementation of social rights and public services, a fair distribution of income, public control of the strategic sectors of the economy, clearly assuming the defence of workers' interests and of non-monopoly strata and sectors.
With the decisive intervention of the PCP and the struggle of the Portuguese workers and people, it was possible, in 2015, to stop a policy of worsening of exploitation, impoverishment and national decline, to halt the most dangerous projects of big capital aimed at the destruction of the democratic regime achieved with the April Revolution, and ensure the defence, restoration and achievement of rights, with a beneficial impact on the living conditions of millions of Portuguese.
It was the intervention of the PCP that – benefiting from the correlation of forces in Parliament, consistent with its principles and programme, affirming its proposal and political independence and not entertaining any illusions about the class nature of the Socialist Party's options, policies and role - forced the PS minority government - which is not a left-wing or «coalition» government or even «supported» by any parliamentary »agreement», in fact nonexistent - to adopt measures that it would never take under other circumstances.
It is precisely as a result of its consistent and permanent intervention in defence of the interests of the workers and the people, combining tactical flexibility with the firmness of its principles and its communist identity, that the PCP has been the target of an intense anti-communist campaign, unparalleled in recent decades, based on lies, defamation and manipulation, trying to attribute to the PCP concepts that are deeply contrary to its path, practice and project.
Only the militant mobilisation of the party collective, the deep roots of the PCP in the working class, the workers and the popular masses, the recognition of the intervention of the PCP and the trust in its word, made it possible, in the present conjuncture, to resist and overcome the powerful campaign unleashed by the centres of monopoly capital.
The current national situation, marked by a different political framework from that of recent years, portrays the serious problems affecting workers, the people and the country, inseparable from decades of right-wing policies.
The negative measures that were avoided and the advances achieved by the intervention of the PCP and the workers' struggle, highlight the need and the possibility to respond to the aspirations and rights of the workers and the people and to advance in solving the problems that remain given the options of the PS of commitment to big capital and submission to the European Union and the Euro.
The situation of the country and its evolution in these last years places, more strongly, the need to break with the right-wing policy and the firm combat the reactionary offensive that tries to find space for its undemocratic projects.
Advancement in this path involves a persistent intervention in defence of the rights and interests of the workers, the people and the country. It involves strengthening the unity of the working class and workers, building a vast social front of struggle, strengthening unitary organisations. and mass movements, through the intervention of all the classes, strata and anti-monopoly sectors, convergence and unity of democrats and patriots, the combination of electoral and institutional action with mass action, a determining intensification and convergence of mass struggle.
A path that raises as a fundamental issue the organic reinforcement of the PCP, the constant deepening of its roots in the working class, the workers and the people, its connection to the Portuguese reality, articulating the struggle for immediate objectives with the struggle for broader objectives, reaffirming its communist identity and its revolutionary project.
It is in this path of struggle and construction that the PCP is and will continue with unwavering determination, based on a firm commitment to the Portuguese workers and people, honouring its dimension and path of a patriotic and internationalist party.
By different paths and stages, in a more or less prolonged historical period, through the struggle of social and national emancipation of workers and peoples, it is the replacement of capitalism by socialism that, in the 21st. century, remains inscribed as a real possibility and as the most solid perspective of evolution of Humanity.
Long live proletarian internationalism!
Long live internationalist solidarity!
