President greets Sao Tome and Principe on National Day

President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday greeted the government and people of Sao Tome and Principe on the eve of the country's National Day.

Expressing confidence of strengthened relations in the years to come.In his message to Manuel Pinto da Costa, president of Sao Tome and Principe, Mukherjee said: "On behalf of the government, the people of India and on my own behalf, it gives me great pleasure to convey to you, to the government and the people of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe warm greetings and felicitations on the occasion of your National Day."

Adding that the two countries enjoyed warm and friendly relations, Mukherjee said: "I am confident that our bilateral relations will be further strengthened in the years ahead to the mutual benefit of the peoples of our countries."

"Please accept, Excellency, my good wishes for your personal health and well-being, as well as for the progress and prosperity of the friendly people the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe," the president added.

Considered as Africa's smallest state, the island nation achieved independence from Portugal on July 12, 1975.