“There is a strong alignment between the world’s two oldest allies in terms of defense,” stated the Portuguese Foreign Minister following a working meeting and lunch with the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy, at the Necessidades Palace in Lisbon.
“There was a convergence of views, an alignment, which I think is very promising,” commented Rangel, adding that he had “direct contact” with Minister Lammy to exchange “impressions on various issues, particularly in preparation for meetings at the prime ministerial level.”
The bilateral relationship with the European Union (EU) and the current international context, notably the war in Ukraine, were topics discussed during the meeting.
“The alignment between Portugal and the United Kingdom in this challenging situation is clear and promising,” wrote the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on social media platform X, in a post accompanied by photographs of the two ministers.
Paulo Rangel further noted that the relationship between London and the European Union “is clearly at a different and positive stage” – the UK left the then 28-nation bloc in January 2020, following a referendum, in a process known as ‘Brexit.’
“There has been a noticeable rapprochement between the two parties, which Portugal has encouraged and clearly supports,” he emphasized.
The EU’s plans to invest in the Defense sector were discussed, as well as “how the UK can engage in this context,” the minister stated.
The war in Ukraine, triggered by Russia’s invasion in February 2022, was highlighted in discussions between the two ministers, particularly regarding “how the two countries have closely cooperated in this area.”
Rangel recalled that Portugal has participated at various levels, including the presence of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro in meetings of the so-called “coalition of willing countries” to support Ukraine, promoted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Portugal approved a contribution of 205 million euros for this year last week, which was already part of previously assumed commitments, Rangel recalled.
The meeting also addressed NATO (the transatlantic alliance) and medium-term defense investment plans, at a time when the Atlantic Alliance advocates that member states exceed a 2% contribution of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and countries that have not yet reached this target – such as Portugal – are urged to do so as soon as possible.
Regarding the relationship with the new U.S. administration, led by Republican Donald Trump, who returned to the White House in January, the minister stressed that Portugal and the United Kingdom “consider the transatlantic relationship fundamental for security and defense, both for their respective countries and for global stability.”
“It is very important that, despite some differences in viewpoints and even in today’s different context, a significant effort is made to maintain as active a relationship as possible with the United States of America and the new U.S. administration,” highlighted Paulo Rangel.
[Updated at 5:28 PM]
