Former Deputy Prime Minister (2013-2015) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (2011-2015) and National Defense (2002-2005), Paulo Portas, highlighted the strategic importance of the Atlantic relationship and Portugal’s influence in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. “It is the Atlantic relationship and our ability to form very special ties in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, linked to our language and historical presence, that give us more ‘soft power’ in Europe. Without these relationships, we would just be GDP [Gross Domestic Product], population, and debt,” he stated during the Lajes International Conference in Praia da Vitória, Terceira Island, organized by the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD).
He emphasized the sea as a “link in the strategic concept” of Portugal and recalled the historical importance of the Lajes Base on Terceira Island. “Not defending an antagonistic dichotomy between sea and continent, between Atlanticism and Europeanism – on the contrary. I see the ability to increase our influence in the forums and organizations in which we participate,” he stressed.
Portas, the former leader of CDS-PP, expressed his conviction that Portugal was a founding member of NATO thanks to the “privilege of Lajes” and highlighted the Azores’ geostrategic relevance in the current international context. “The Azores do not end at Lajes from the point of view of valuing their strategic position. I think what is coming in the space sector is very interesting because it is a project that interests Europe and is not an irritant in the relationship with the United States.”
Speaking on the Portugal-US relations, he affirmed that “relations are between states and not between personalities,” indicating that “people pass, but interests stay.” He further reinforced, “When everything changes around us, and many things are changing at the same time, there are two things that do not change. One because it has already happened, the other because it is hard to remove. History does not change, geography does not change. And history and geography are essential pillars of the relationship between Portugal and the United States and the relevance of the Azores in this relationship.”
At the conference, the new US Consul in Ponta Delgada, Rita Rico, highlighted the “Azorean-American friendship” and the “daily connection” between the archipelago and the US, reminding that Portuguese and American military personnel “work side by side” at the Lajes Base. She expressed particular excitement about what the space center in Santa Maria can bring to future collaborations: “These are just some future opportunities that we can explore together.”
New York State Senator Jack Martins, a Republican, noted that there is room to deepen the relationship between the two countries. “There will be opportunities to bring the two countries together more and more. That is the challenge. I don’t see any major threats,” said the Luso-descendant.
Earlier, the President of the Azores Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, advocated for the “improvement” of the Cooperation and Defense Agreement between Portugal and the United States and warned that it is “impossible to create security conditions” without respecting the region.
The conference continues today and Friday under the theme “Azores, from Ocean to Space,” as part of the 40th anniversary of FLAD.
