By: SHEENA RAWCLIFFE
JOHN BUCK, HM Ambassador to Portugal and his wife Jean hosted a Queen’s Birthday Party on Thursday evening in glorious surroundings.
Welcoming 800 invited guests, John said that this would be his last Queen’s Birthday Party and not just in Portugal but, probably ever.
John is leaving Portugal in August and will start a new adventure when he commences a career in business.
Emotional
On what was clearly an emotional occasion for both John and Jean, John said: “As I look around this evening, and see so many friends and colleagues in this magnificent setting, I would have to be made of stone not to wonder whether we are doing the right thing. But it is, at least in part, because diplomatic life does not get much better than a posting to Lisbon, that we have decided to move on. We are leaving while we are ahead, way ahead, in the diplomatic lottery.”
Referring to one of the world’s oldest alliances between Portugal and Britain, the outgoing Ambassador said that, despite time moving on and with it the need to adapt, there remains something special about the relationship between the two countries.
“That quality is founded not just on history, but also on shared interests and strong personal links. It is also, I think, based on common and complementary characteristics. Both our peoples have a strong romantic streak and a keen sense of tradition.
 The Portuguese Navy band were outstanding |
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That can sometimes lead us to be sentimental about the past; to spend too much time looking backwards. But we share, too, a fundamental pragmatism; a practical approach to everyday life; a desire to get on with the present and the future.”
Partnerships
In the past three years as the British Ambassador to Portugal, John stated that he had tried to focus on the present and future in building commercial partnerships for the prosperity of both countries; in promoting joint security in an uncertain
 From left: Guests Sheena Rawcliffe, The Resident’s Managing Director, Roy Whitehouse from WIS International, Jane Fernandes, Paul Buick from Kiss FM radio station and Richard Turner, Commercial Director of the British Embassy. |
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world by working with Portuguese colleagues in the armed forces and other services; in building law enforcement partnerships to confront the threat posed by international crime and in helping create the kind of Europe both countries seek through working with Portuguese politicians and diplomats.
John was effusive in his thanks to his highly effective Embassy colleagues.
“I know that they, and my successor, will continue to build and sustain the strong relationship between our two countries” he said.
Toasts
At the close of the Ambassador’s speech he offered toasts to Her Majesty The Queen and His Excellency, The President of Portugal. Each toast was followed by the National Anthem, played by the Portuguese Navy Band.
As his final words, John offered his sincere thanks to the commercial partners who sponsored the event – Jaguar, Logica CMG, Barclays, British Airways, VisitBritain, GlaxoSmithKline and BP – and the Portuguese Navy band which provided excellent music.
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