NEW: Cape Verdean Prime Minister Meets with Congressman Cicilline
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Cape Verdean Prime Minister José Maria Neves met Friday with U.S. Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) to discuss relations between Cape Verde and the United States, as well as the rich cultural contributions made by Cape Verdeans living in Rhode Island’s First Congressional District.
“I was honored to welcome Prime Minister Jose Maria Neves to Rhode Island today,” said Cicilline. “I share Prime Minister Neves’ strong belief in the importance of maintaining the strong bonds between our two nations, and I look forward to continuing our work on issues important to the Cape Verdean Community in Rhode Island.”
Congressman Cicilline and Prime Minister Neves were joined at Cicilline’s district office in Pawtucket by Cape Verdean Ambassador Maria de Fátima Lima de Veiga, Cape Verdean Consul General Pedro Graciano Gomes de Carvalho, and Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“Congressman Cicilline is working hard to advance the interests of the Cape Verdean-Americans living in Rhode Island,” said Prime Minister Neves. “I know that he will continue to be a strong advocate for continued ties between our two nations.”
Prime Minister Neves first emerged as a young leader during Cape Verde’s shift from Portuguese rule to an independent democracy. A member of Partido Africano da Independência de Cabo Verde (the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde), he began serving as prime minister on February 1, 2001. His work to strengthen Cape Verde’s economy has been recognized by the International Monetary Fund, as well as the World Bank.
