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Dear colleagues and friends,

This year, leaving behind the wonderful memories of the Macedonian splendours of Thessaloniki set against the backdrop of the Aegean, the merchants of the Hanseatic League and the Art Nouveau buildings of Riga, and the brave and pious Knights of Malta, we are now off to Porto! Portugal’s “Capital of the North” or the “Unvanquished City”.

Since the status of the European Civil service and our pensions have been under attack from many delegations in the Council lately, this will be a great opportunity to meet at this year’s General Assembly of AIACE International. Well-qualified personalities will review and explain the results of long and complex negotiations.

For those wishing to extend their stay, close by are the Minho (with the cities of Vila do Conde and Viana do Castelo) and Trás-os-Montes (with the city of Bragança), as well as the cities of Co¨mbra, Aveiro and Viseu. Good news also for golfers: there are three golf clubs in the area around Porto (Oporto, the only one with 18 holes, Miramar and Quinta do Fojo).

By the time we are visiting Porto average temperatures are expected, between 18 and 22° during the day and cooler in the evenings; at that time of year the chances of rain are very slight.

Bureau Member of AIACE International,

responsible for the organisation of the Congress