On 20 October 2026, Comendador Anthony Bailey, Hon Consul-General of His Majesty The King of Tonga to the Portuguese Republic, visited the Assembleia da República, Portugal’s national parliament, at the historic Palácio de São Bento in Lisbon, where he met with Pedro Ferreira, Diplomatic Adviser to His Excellency Dr Pedro Aguiar-Branco, President of the Assembleia da República.
The meeting focused on strengthening parliamentary relations between Tonga and Portugal, exploring opportunities for reciprocal parliamentary visits, closer institutional cooperation and greater engagement between the legislative institutions of both countries.
The discussions took place against the background of two important constitutional anniversaries. In November 2025, Tonga marked the 150th anniversary of its Constitution, promulgated by King George Tupou I on 4 November 1875. The Constitution, the oldest written constitution still in force in the Pacific, established the foundations of Tonga’s constitutional monarchy, parliamentary institutions and national sovereignty. Tonga remains the only Pacific island nation never to have been colonised.
In 2026, Portugal celebrates the 50th anniversary of its democratic Constitution of 1976, adopted following the Carnation Revolution of 1974. The Constitution established the framework for Portugal’s modern parliamentary democracy and enshrined the political and administrative autonomy of the Azores and Madeira, whose autonomous institutions also celebrate their fiftieth anniversaries this year.
These anniversaries provide a particularly appropriate opportunity to deepen parliamentary dialogue between Tonga and Portugal, including their respective island communities, which share interests in constitutional government, democratic representation, maritime affairs, environmental protection and sustainable development.
The Consul-General recalled his official visit to the Autonomous Region of the Azores in June and July 2026, during which he was received by Eng.º Luís Garcia, President of the Legislative Assembly of the Azores, in Horta. That meeting had similarly explored opportunities for closer parliamentary cooperation between Tonga and the Portuguese autonomous regions.
During his discussions at São Bento, Comendador Bailey raised the possibility of organising a visit to Portugal by members of Tonga’s Legislative Assembly, together with reciprocal visits by Portuguese parliamentarians to the Kingdom. Such exchanges would provide opportunities for legislators to develop closer personal and institutional relationships, share parliamentary experience and strengthen understanding between the two countries.
Particular reference was made to the experience of the current prime minister of Tonga, Lord Fakafanua, who served for many years as Speaker of Tonga’s Legislative Assembly. The Consul-General expressed the hope that an opportunity might arise to contribute to closer dialogue between the two parliamentary institutions.
The Consul-General also referred to previous visits to Tonga by Portuguese parliamentarians, including Deputy Paulo Neves, as a foundation upon which future exchanges could be developed.
A further proposal concerned the possibility of organising an exhibition within the Assembleia da República dedicated to Tonga’s constitutional heritage and the constitutional development of Pacific island nations. Such an exhibition could bring together historical documents, photographs and explanatory material illustrating Tonga’s 150-year constitutional tradition, the evolution of its parliamentary democracy and the distinctive constitutional arrangements of the Pacific.
The meeting also considered the possibility of establishing a parliamentary friendship group or other appropriate parliamentary forum within the Assembleia da República to encourage closer relations with Tonga and other Pacific island countries. Such an initiative could provide a framework for regular dialogue on constitutional development, democratic participation, ocean governance, climate change and the particular challenges facing island communities.
The Consul-General highlighted the construction of Tonga’s new parliamentary complex at Talangaholo Estate in Nuku’alofa, supported by Australia and New Zealand – Aotearoa, following the destruction of the former Parliament building by Tropical Cyclone Gita in February 2018. The new complex represents an important investment in the continuity of Tonga’s parliamentary democracy and the resilience of its national institutions.
The discussions also reflected the wider development of bilateral relations since Tonga and Portugal established diplomatic relations on 1 November 2008, including growing cooperation on ocean affairs, environmental protection and the sustainable use of marine resources.
The visit represented a further step towards strengthening the parliamentary dimension of Tonga-Portugal relations and identifying practical opportunities for cooperation between two countries with longstanding constitutional traditions and shared interests as maritime nations.
Official social media and institutional links
Instagram:
- Assembleia da República: https://www.instagram.com/assembleiadarepublica/
- Assembleia Legislativa dos Açores: https://www.instagram.com/assembleiaacores/
Facebook:
- Assembleia da República: https://www.facebook.com/AssembleiadaRepublica
- Legislative Assembly of Tonga: https://www.facebook.com/TongaParliament
- Assembleia Legislativa dos Açores: https://www.facebook.com/assembleiaacores
Official websites:
- Assembleia da República: https://www.parlamento.pt/
- Legislative Assembly of Tonga: https://parliament.gov.to/
- Consulate-General of the Kingdom of Tonga in Portugal: https://tonga-gov.pt/
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