Comrades,

I warmly welcome the delegates and guests to this important XXII Congress of the PCP, held at a time of resistance and struggle in our country and when, internationally, conflicts with dramatic consequences for the peoples of the world are growing, but the denunciation of imperialist aggression and calls for peace from many different quarters are also making themselves heard.

The dangerous developments in the international situation, particularly in the Middle East, Europe, Asia-Pacific, not forgetting Latin America and Africa, with the escalation of confrontation and war and the growing arms race; the imposition of blockades and sanctions, hunger and genocide as is happening with the Palestinian people; accompanied by the promotion and advance of reactionary and fascist conceptions, projects and forces, are exacerbating international tensions and increasing the threats of a world conflict with catastrophic consequences for humanity.

Only the mobilization of all those who yearn for peace can stop these tragedies, and it is certain that the strategy of confrontation that we are experiencing is the greatest threat to the peoples of the world. Hence the great importance of demonstrations and sit-ins in defence of peace and against war, of solidarity with the peoples resisting oppression and aggression, of promoting a culture of peace as an alternative to a culture of war, of multiplying initiatives that mobilize workers, youth, schools, women, cultural associations, and artists, as has been done all over the country, including "Concerts for Peace," education for peace, countless debates and conferences and "Meetings for Peace." We will continue along these paths, starting with the "Fourth Meeting for Peace," planned for 31 May, in Seixal, with particular emphasis on the demand to comply with the April Constitution and the mobilization of everyone in the defence of peace.

We are living in times in which international law is not respected, in which successive UN General Assembly resolutions have been systematically ignored and prevented from being implemented by the US right of veto, as has been the case for years with the demand for an end to the blockade of Cuba and, more recently, with the demand for an end to the bombing, occupation and genocide that Israel continues to carry out in Palestine, in defence of humanitarian aid, and the recognition of the state of Palestine by the United Nations, which almost 150 countries have already recognized. Portugal, however, has shamefully still not done so, just as it has not signed and ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

However, the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic advocates the abolition of imperialism and colonialism and any other forms of aggression, domination, and exploitation; defends the peaceful resolution of international conflicts; recognizes the right of all peoples to self-determination and independence; general, simultaneous, and controlled disarmament; the dissolution of political-military blocs; and the establishment of a security system with a view to creating an international order capable of ensuring peace and justice in relations between peoples.

It is in defence of these principles that various organizations that converge in the peace movement, such as the Portuguese Council for Peace and Cooperation, continue to intervene, also based on the principles of the United Nations Charter and the Helsinki Final Act, multiplying actions in defence of peace and in solidarity with all peoples victim of oppression, colonialism, external interference, war, and destruction. Examples of this are the many demonstrations, rallies, and other initiatives demanding an end to the war and arms race being pursued by NATO, the US, and the powers of the European Union.

That is why on 18 January, in Lisbon, we will all take part in a large national demonstration entitled "All Together for Peace! It's urgent to put an end to the war!" This is the time to courageously assert the defence of peace, sovereignty, solidarity, cooperation, and friendship between peoples.

It is a time to make it clear that workers, youth, pensioners, women, and artists are suffering the consequences of the arms race, sanctions, and wars that serve as a pretext to prevent decent wages, fair pensions and high-quality public services, and that the multinationals in the arms, energy, food, distribution, and financial sectors stand to gain.

It is a time to mobilize wills, to seek convergence, to encourage and amplify the voice of those who have the courage to stand together in the struggle against war, against the militarization of international relations, against the arms race, in defence of the rights of peoples, in solidarity with those who suffer, and, with determination, to multiply the various flows of generosity to converge in a sea of people proclaiming "Yes to Peace! No to War!"

Long live the 12th Congress of the PCP!

Long live the PCP!