"We will speed up this process by taking some measures to normalize it" and "prevent the current exploitation by some networks" that hoard and charge those who want to emigrate to Portugal, for a free service, as it happens in Cape Verde, where the Prime Minister is on an official visit.

"In the coming weeks, we will make a great effort and, not wanting to be too optimistic, I hope that within a maximum period of two months there may be news capable of normalizing this situation", he said.

The situation aims to solve the problems in Cape Verde and in the rest of the consular network.

José Cesário, Secretary of State for Communities, explained that "the model will be changed" for national visas, and that the current online scheduling "will not end, it will continue until there are technological conditions, namely through the adoption of new facial recognition mechanisms".

"A very serious mistake was made, which was to adopt this scheduling model as a principle, and this led to the chaotic situation we are experiencing today. We will now gradually introduce changes such as sending processes by mail, using the telephone or e-mail", that is, methods that have already been tested, but each in its own place.

"There are several ways to do this, I repeat, they have been tested in several places, they work, today, even in the past, and we just have to adapt them to local reality", he said.

The subject had already been on the agenda on Saturday and the news was announced today, after Luís Montenegro was approached in the street by a Cape Verdean who asked him to keep the borders open, because there are people like him who want to work and think of Portugal as a destination.

"Open the borders. If you have any closed, open that border because we want to work. Don't follow André Ventura", leader of Chega, "follow your ideology, your thinking", he said.

"Cape Verdeans follow Portuguese politics very closely and are very well informed about the content of the programs, the policies that are being designed by the new Government, which is good", Luís Montenegro told journalists.

"I recognize the validity of the words that were addressed to me by a Cape Verdean citizen", he said, believing that "the message was also implicit: we want dignity, we want regulation so that we can have a good reception and integration".

"People need to be treated with all dignity. In addition to the interest we have in having human resources", it is necessary that "there is access to housing, to all labor rights, health, education" and other services, he said, reiterating statements made on Saturday.

Regarding the reference to the new Portuguese parliamentary composition, Montenegro takes the comment heard in the street as a recognition "of the firmness in the commitment established before the elections".

"And in what was, later, my position after the elections. Beyond the foam of the days" and "a certain political-media bubble, there is a people" who "analyze" what is happening, he said.

Read Also: "I do not forget the Cape Verdean community in Portugal" (Portuguese version)