Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, speaking at the Foro La Toja in Lisbon, asserted that Europe must align itself with democratic nations rather than dictatorships, while calling for a common foreign and security policy. Alongside former Portuguese Deputy Prime Minister Paulo Portas, Rajoy highlighted global instability driven by Russia, shifting US-European relations, and China. Portas emphasized that Europe's lack of defense capabilities contributed to the invasion of Ukraine, while Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel noted that global changes have reached a 'dizzying speed,' urging Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security and broaden its geopolitical focus beyond the Mediterranean.