“I would like to take this opportunity to express gratitude on behalf of the Slovak Republic and all citizens to Portugal for the support given to us in the defense of NATO’s eastern flank,” stated Peter Pellegrini during a joint conference with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
The Slovak President, who is undertaking a state visit to Portugal, was referring to the participation of Portuguese military personnel in the multinational brigade stationed in the country.
Portugal is among the countries, alongside Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Romania, and Turkey, with military contingents in Slovakia, a forward NATO force in Eastern Europe that gained significance following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“We greatly appreciate Portugal’s decision to increase the contingent of Portuguese soldiers in this brigade. It is an example of our mutual cooperation as NATO allies, as Europeans and as members of the European Union,” he said.
This scenario is even more significant “as the war in Ukraine is unfolding right on the Slovak border,” he added.
“It is necessary to continue discussing the future of Europe,” the Slovak President emphasized, noting that the meeting with Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also served to discuss issues related to bilateral cooperation.
“We talked about how Europe should approach EU enlargement and found that our positions are very close,” he said, adding that both support “the accession of the Western Balkan countries [to the EU] along with other countries such as Ukraine and Moldova.”
Pellegrini reminded that Slovakia, like Portugal, is a net beneficiary in the EU and a proponent of cohesion, which means “Portugal will be a very important partner in the coming days and months when the new budget” of the European bloc will be debated and negotiated.
“We hold identical positions regarding cohesion, payments for agriculture, and reinforcement of the pillars that help our countries economically, structurally, or even in transformation processes,” he noted.
Additionally, he stated, “Slovakia is an industrial country” with a significant presence in the automotive industry.
“But we also produce weapons and defense products, representing a great potential for collaboration with Portugal,” he said, noting that both countries are members of the eurozone and the single market.
The Slovak President will remain in Portugal for two days at the invitation of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, 11 months after the Portuguese head of state’s visit to Bratislava.
This afternoon, the Slovak head of state is scheduled to meet with the Portuguese Foreign Minister, Paulo Rangel, with plans for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Health Ministries of both states.
Subsequently, Pellegrini will convene with the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas. On Thursday, the Slovak head of state is set to visit the Assembly of the Republic.
