The ceremony that brings us together here today represents an essential, unique moment in the history of Macau.

As far as Portugal is concerned this is not only the solemn handover of the sovereignty of Macau to the People's Republic of China but the reassertion before Macau and the international community - so broadly represented here today -, of Portugal's commitment to the future of the territory within the framework of the statute of autonomy guaranteed by the Luso-Chinese Joint Declaration.

Whilst Macau as a privileged meeting point between their cultures and their peoples was important for relations between China and Portugal, the agreement reached by the two States on the statute of the territory represents a sensible, peaceful way of pursuing a new phase in their centuries-old relationship, changing what had to be changed as a result of the new realities within the two countries but keeping all that makes Macau so unique.

The Special Administrative Region of Macau will, then, be instituted in a place where different cultures and interests have co-existed and determined a specific, irreplaceable way of life.

Within that framework the territory will enjoy a high degree of autonomy, set down in its legislative and executive institutions, and a judicial system served by independent courts that will judge with the power of final adjudication all the issues involving exclusively Macau and its inhabitants.

It was this political and administrative statute where the people of Macau will freely and democratically govern their own land, under the rule of law, that was agreed by China and Portugal in the 1987 Joint Declaration; with the firm undertaking that the territory's inhabitants will continue to enjoy the rights, liberties and guarantees that are the heritage of their way of life and which led to this land's individuality and prosperity.

Although the Joint Declaration revealed itself as the best way of shaping Macau's destiny, it was and will continue to be a privileged time when the attentions of the international community are particularly concentrated on this small territory and on the unique reality that history has fashioned here.

It is this reality which, under the same physiognomy, will enter the next century under the flag of the People's Republic of China, governed by a statute of respectful co-habitation between social models which the "one country, two systems" formula has unreservedly expressed.

Macau emerges before this international community with the instruments of modernity and progress, in legitimate partnership with all those who approved the most exacting commitments to promoting and monitoring human rights, including the International Pact on Civil and Political Rights and the International Pact on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

It is within this universal citizenship of values and rights that Macau will endure as a meeting point between Europe and Asia.

It will thus continue in its centuries-old vocation as an intermediary at the crossroads of peoples, civilisations and interests and so strengthen its own identity.

It was to preserve Macau's identity, heir to a common history made by Chinese and Portuguese, that China and Portugal established their laborious cooperation in the last twelve years.

The relationship between Portugal and China was strengthened in fulfilment of the Joint Declaration and Macau and the statute of autonomy it is guaranteed have emerged more clearly. I would like to address a particular word of appreciation and acknowledgement to all those who contributed to this success.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In an international society where all are concerned by the fate of each individual, Portugal will continue to express its solidarity with Macau, will remain committed to its future in the conviction that here, too, democracy and freedom are an irreplaceable reality, pledge of peace and progress for all peoples.