Defense agreement news in Portugal

Latest news and stories about defense agreement in Portugal for expats and residents.

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Foreign Minister defends US use of Lajes Base

📍 Praia da Vitória 🏛️ Government 🇪🇺 Europe#foreign-policy+2 more

Minister of Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel stated that the Portuguese government has reasons to believe the agreement for the use of Lajes Base by the United States is being respected. During a parliamentary hearing, Rangel downplayed the significance of recent aircraft activity and condemned any military escalation in the conflict involving Iran.

Paulo Rangel is a Portuguese politician from the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD) who has been a prominent voice on defence and foreign‑policy issues and has served in the European Parliament. He appears in this story because he commented publicly on the controversy over Lajes Air Base being used to refuel US planes.

5 sources →7 Apr

Foreign Minister defends US use of Lajes Base

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Portugal does not charge for Lajes. That discussion is over

🏛️ Government 🇪🇺 Europe#defense-agreement+2 more

The leader of the PS/Azores, Francisco César, says that this is “not the moment” to review the agreement on the use of Lajes, but also considers that the debate regarding financial compensation is “finished”.

observador.pt9 Jun

Portugal does not charge for Lajes. That discussion is over

José Manuel Bolieiro advocates for a review of the Lajes Agreement when appropriate

🏛️ Government 🇪🇺 Europe#defense-agreement+2 more

José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Regional Government of the Azores, argued on Friday, April 3, that a review of the Bilateral Defense and Cooperation Agreement with the US is necessary to compensate the region as an 'act of justice' given the 'resurgence' of its geostrategic value. Bolieiro acknowledges that the current international context and the US administration's stance on security and defense may make it difficult for Portugal to renegotiate at this moment, but insists that once the opportunity arises, it is only fair to revisit the agreement. He emphasizes that the Azores have become increasingly relevant to the country, the EU, and NATO, and that the region should benefit from the agreement as stipulated by the Constitution. The Lajes Agreement was last revised in 1995, and the Azores have since seen a reduction in military presence and the loss of financial compensation, which the regional government now seeks to address.

Diário de Notícias3 Apr