Portuguese Consul General visits as staff help Goan community
The meeting took place recently.
The Goan population of Swindon, many of whom are Portuguese citizens were able to express their gratitude to that country’s Consul General to the UK, Luis Leandro da Silva.
Mr da Silva made a visit to Swindon, his first, and the civic offices in Euclid Street where a number of the London consulate’s staff had come to advise and help Portugues citizens with essential documentation: issuing visas, renewing passports and national identity cards, registering births and the like.
He said: ”We have a regular consular presence in Swindon now. We made three visits last year and three this and we will continue to make regular visits.
“It saves a lot of people the time and travel to come up to London to do what’s necessary.”
And the relationship with Swindon, he added, was very important: “Since we started talking about coming here, we’ve worked very well with Swindon Borough Council, and councillors from the Goan and Portuguese community.
“We make a consular presence in several places in the UK where there are populations of our citizens, but Swindon is one of the most important, and we hope to keep a close relationship with the council.”
Mr da Silva was presented a bouquet as thanks for his consulate’s work in Swindon by former councillor Lourenco Fernandes and Councillor Anabelle Pegado.