Anthony Bailey, HM Hon Consul-General of the Kingdom of Tonga in Portugal, attended the official ceremony at the Câmara Municipal de Lisboa marking the granting of the Keys of the City of Lisbon to the President of the Slovak Republic, Peter Pellegrini, the highest civic honour bestowed by the Portuguese capital upon a visiting 
Head of State.
The ceremony took place in the Salão Nobre of Lisbon City Hall and was hosted by Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon, who reflected on Lisbon’s historic role as a city of openness, dialogue and cultural encounter. In his remarks, the Mayor emphasised the symbolism of the Keys of the City as an expression of trust, esteem and hospitality offered by the citizens of Lisbon.
The formal proceedings were accompanied by a programme of choral music of notable quality, which contributed to the solemnity and dignity of the occasion and reinforced the cultural dimension of the ceremony.
Mr Bailey reflected on his longstanding association with the Slovak Republic, recalling that in 2015 he had the pleasure of hosting a formal luncheon in London in honour of President Andrej Kiska, then President of the Slovak Republic. That occasion brought together members of diplomatic, cultural and civic circles and contributed to strengthening personal and professional ties.
He further recalled that in 2016 he was awarded the Medal of the President of the Slovak Republic, recognising his contribution to international dialogue, understanding and goodwill.
For the Consul-General, attendance at the ceremony represented both the continuation of these long-standing associations and an affirmation of the shared values of respect, dialogue and cooperation within the international community.