In July, Portugal had 305 security and rescue force operatives deployed on missions for the United Nations and the European Union or at Portuguese embassies and consulates, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) said today.
According to data from the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI), in July “there were 120 personnel from the National Republican Guard (GNR), 106 from the Public Security Police (PSP), 78 from the Aliens and Borders Service (SEF) and one from the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) – the Security Forces and Services under the MAI – deployed on international missions and duties or protecting Portuguese diplomatic representations”.
“As well as taking part in missions or being posted to international agencies and institutions, mainly in Europe and Africa, some of them worked as Liaison Officers (GNR, PSP) and Immigration Liaison Officers (SEF) with the Portuguese diplomatic and consular network,” the MAI said in a statement.
Of the total of 305 personnel, including 28 women, 228 were stationed in Europe, 47 in Africa, 14 in Asia and 16 in North and South America.
Portuguese operatives have been deployed on EU training and advisory missions in Ukraine, Armenia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Georgia, Mozambique and Somalia, reinforcing the missions of the European border agency Frontex, as well as with the government of East Timor, Interpol, the European Gendarmerie Force (Eurogendfor) and the Spanish Guardia Civil, the ministry said.
Within the framework of the United Nations, the MAI highlights the participation in the Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
The Immigration Liaison Officers were present in Angola, Algeria, Brazil, Cape Verde, China, Spain, Guinea-Bissau and India, Morocco, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, East Timor, as well as Europol and the Portuguese Permanent Representation to the EU.
