The President of the Republic argued today that Portugal must maintain its commitment to NATO and the EU and not lose its “pioneering position” on climate and migration, pledging to ensure this until the end of his mandate.
In a speech at the end of the annual meeting of the Portuguese Diaspora Council, which took place today at the Palácio da Cidadela in Cascais, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stressed that, until the end of his mandate, the role of the President of the Republic will be to ensure that “structural data prevails over minimally circumstantial data”.
In this regard, the head of state addressed Portugal’s foreign and defense policy in particular, considering that “it’s easier” for the head of state to maintain continuity, since the country has a “stability that doesn’t depend on heads of state or government”.
“Even with governments that had forces in their support base that had doubts or criticisms or distanced themselves from fundamental points in foreign policy, it never stopped being pursued,” he said.
However, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa considered that “it’s worth restating the obvious”, starting by highlighting Portugal’s sensitivity to the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), which is “undergoing enormous change”.
“It’s the transition from the immediate post-independence period to a diversification of economic, social and political forces with the relationship of other communities and other neighboring countries with the CPLP, recognizing its importance and wanting to play a role in it,” he said.
The head of state also highlighted Portugal’s “commitment” to the European Union, to NATO “and, in general, to transatlantic relations”, as well as its “commitment to the Ibero-American universe”, not forgetting “other latitudes and longitudes, or at least other dialogues”.
Alongside Portugal’s commitment to international organizations, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also highlighted the “pioneering role” that the country has played “as a platform between continents, on climate, oceans, migration, the values and principles of international law, international organizations or its future role”.
“All this is our trademark and we mustn’t lose it,” he warned.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa considered that those who, “formally or informally, have influence in the world” or who may “in the near future, are essential to boost foreign policy and national security policy”.