Nuno Melo rejects European army, emphasizes NATO importance
Minister of National Defence Nuno Melo has publicly opposed the creation of a European army, arguing that continental security remains most effective through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Organização do Tratado do Atlântico Norte or NATO). Melo stressed that European defence requires the participation of the United States to maintain stability, despite acknowledging the need for Europe to increase its own military investment and capacity.
Nuno Melo is the leader of CDS-PP (Centro Democrático e Social – Partido Popular), a Christian democratic party on Portugal’s centre-right, and Minister of National Defence in Luís Montenegro’s government, where CDS-PP governs in coalition with the PSD. He was previously a Member of the European Parliament.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Organização do Tratado do Atlântico Norte or OTAN) is a 32-member alliance facing pressure to intervene in the Strait of Hormuz to secure maritime routes. Disagreement among members regarding this military involvement has led to warnings about the organization's future stability. Portugal has been a member since NATO's founding in 1949 and hosts a major Joint Force Command in Oeiras.
