Foreign relations of Portugal
Foreign relations of Portugal are linked with its historical role as a major player in the Age of Discovery and the holder of the now defunct Portuguese Empire. Portugal is a European Union member country and a founding member of NATO. It is a committed proponent of European integration and transatlantic relations. Augusto Santos Silva is the current Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal.
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Portugal |
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Constitution |
Historical
Historically, the focus of Portuguese diplomacy has been to preserve its independence, vis-à-vis, the danger of annexation by Spain, and the maintenance of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, which officially came into being in 1386, and with the United Kingdom as a successor to England, it is still in place today.
Other goals have also been constant such as the political stability of the Iberian peninsula and the affirmation of Portuguese interests in Europe and the Atlantic (also in the Indian and Pacific Oceans throughout different moments in history).
International organizations
Portugal was a founding member of NATO (1949), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (1961), and European Free Trade Area (1960); it left the latter in 1986 to join the European Economic Community, which would become the European Union (EU) in 1993. In 1996, it co-founded the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). The country is a member state of the United Nations since 1955.
Recently, the primacy of the United States and inter-governmental organizations such as NATO and the United Nations have also been paramount in the affirmation of Portugal abroad.
Portugal has been a significant beneficiary of the EU. It was among the top beneficiaries of the EU-15 between 1995 and 2004 (only behind Spain and Greece in absolute terms, and behind Ireland and Greece in a per capita basis).[1] Portugal is a proponent of European integration and held the presidency of the European Union for the second time during the first half of 2000, and again in the second half of 2007. Portugal used its term to launch a dialogue between the EU and Africa and to begin to take steps to make the European economy dynamic and competitive. In 2002, the euro began to circulate as Portugal's currency. José Sócrates, as Prime Minister of Portugal, presided over the rotative Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the period July–December 2007.[2] In this post, Sócrates and his team focused on the EU-Brazil (1st EU-Brazil summit) and EU-African Union (2007 Africa-EU Summit) relations, as well as in the approval of the Treaty of Lisbon.
Portugal was a founding member of NATO; it is an active member of the alliance by, for example, contributing proportionally large contingents in Balkan peacekeeping forces. Portugal proposed the creation of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) to improve its ties with other Portuguese-speaking countries. Additionally, Portugal has participated, along with Spain, in a series of Ibero-American Summit. Portugal held the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for the year 2002. The chairman-in-office was Portuguese Foreign Minister António Martins da Cruz.
Disputes
Portugal holds claim to the disputed territory of Olivença on the Portugal-Spain border.
Bilateral relationships
Africa
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
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Algeria | 1976 | |
Angola | 11 November 1975 | See Angola–Portugal relations.
Portugal ruled Angola for 400 years,[3] colonizing the territory from 1483 until independence in 1975. Angola's war for independence did not end in a military victory for either side, but was suspended as a result of a coup in Portugal, that replaced the Caetano regime with a Military junta. |
Cape Verde | 5 July 1975 | See Cape Verde–Portugal relations
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Democratic Republic of Congo |
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Egypt | 1906, broke off in 1956, restored in 1972 |
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Equatorial Guinea |
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Ethiopia |
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Guinea-Bissau | 10 September 1974 | See Guinea-Bissau–Portugal relations
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Libya |
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Morocco | 1955 |
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Mozambique | 25 June 1975 | See Mozambique–Portugal relations.
Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975. |
Nigeria |
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São Tomé and Príncipe | 12 July 1975 | See Portugal–São Tomé and Príncipe relations.
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Senegal |
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South Africa | 1911, broke off in 1978, restored in 1992 | See Portugal–South Africa relations.
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Tunisia |
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Americas
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
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Argentina | 26 May 1812 | See Argentina–Portugal relations
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Belize | 9 December 1992 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 December 1992.[4] |
Brazil | 29 August 1825 | See Brazil–Portugal relations.
Relations between Brazil and Portugal have spanned over four centuries, beginning in 1532 with the establishment of São Vicente, the first Portuguese permanent settlement in the Americas, up to the present day.[5] Relations between the two are intrinsically tied because of the Portuguese Empire. They continue to be bound by a common language and ancestral lines in Portuguese Brazilians, which can be traced back hundreds of years.
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Canada | 1946 | See Canada–Portugal relations. |
Chile |
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Colombia | 1857 |
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Cuba |
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El Salvador |
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Mexico | 20 October 1864 | See Mexico–Portugal relations.
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Panama |
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Peru |
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United States | See Portugal–United States relations.
Portugal was among the first nations to establish diplomatic ties with the United States. Contributing to the strong ties between the United States and Portugal are the 20,000 Americans living in Portugal and some sizable Portuguese communities in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, California, and Hawaii. The latest census estimates that 1.3 million individuals living in the United States are of Portuguese ancestry, with a large percentage coming from the Portuguese Autonomous region of the Azores.
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Uruguay | See Portugal–Uruguay relations.
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Venezuela |
Asia
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
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Armenia | See Armenia–Portugal relations. | |
Azerbaijan | See Azerbaijan-Portugal relations.
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China | See China–Portugal relations. | |
East Timor | 20 May 2002 | See East Timor–Portugal relations.
East Timor has an embassy in Lisbon whilst Portugal has an embassy in Dili. East Timor was an overseas territory of Portugal for over 400 years. Portugal was a strong advocate of independence for East Timor, which was occupied annexed by neighboring Indonesia between 1975 and 1999, and has committed troops and money to East Timor, in close cooperation with the United Nations, East Timor's Asian neighbors. |
India | 1947 | See India–Portugal relations.
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Indonesia | 1999 | See Indonesia–Portugal relations.
In 1999, Indonesia and Portugal restored diplomatic relations, which were broken off following the Indonesian invasion of East Timor in 1975.
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Iran |
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Israel | 1977 |
The Estado Novo regime did not recognize Israel. Full diplomatic relations with the Israeli government were established in 1977, following the portuguese revolution of 1974.[8]
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Japan | See Japan–Portugal relations.
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Kazakhstan |
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North Korea | 1975 | See Portugal–North Korea relations.
In 1975, North Korea and Portugal established diplomatic relations.[9] In 2017, Portugal cuts diplomatic ties with North Korea.[10] |
Pakistan |
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Philippines |
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Qatar |
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Saudi Arabia |
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South Korea | 17th century | See Portugal–South Korea relations
Although far apart in geographical terms, the known contacts between República Portuguesa and Korea date from the beginning of the 17th century.
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Thailand |
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Turkey | See Portugal–Turkey relations
Turkey's 161 years of political relations with Portugal date back to the Ottoman period when the Visconde do Seixal was appointed as an envoy to Istanbul. Diplomatic relations ceased during World War I and were re-established in the Republican period in 1926. A resident embassy was established in 1957.
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United Arab Emirates |
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Vietnam |
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Europe
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
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Albania | See Albania–Portugal relations. | |
Andorra | 22 December 1994 | See Andorra–Portugal relations
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Austria |
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Belgium |
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Bulgaria | 1925 | See Bulgaria–Portugal relations.
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Cyprus |
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Czech Republic |
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Denmark | See Denmark–Portugal relations.
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Finland |
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France | See France–Portugal relations
Portuguese links to France have remained very strong and the country is considered one of Portugal's main political partners.
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Germany |
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Greece |
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Holy See |
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Hungary |
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Iceland |
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Ireland |
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Italy |
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Kosovo | 7 October 2008 | See Kosovo–Portugal relations.
Portugal recognized Kosovo on 7 October 2008.[15][16][17] Kosovo has formally announced its decision to open an embassy in Lisbon.[18] |
Malta | See Malta–Portugal relations.
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Netherlands |
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Norway | ||
Poland |
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Romania | 1880 | See Portugal–Romania relations
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Russia | See Portugal–Russia relations.
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Serbia | 19 October 1917 | See Portugal–Serbia relations.
Portugal established diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Serbia on 19 October 1917.[19] Relations continued with the successor Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The Portuguese recognized the government in exile of this state after the German occupation of 1941.[20] Relations with the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which took power in 1945 after World War II, were only established in 1974 after the Portuguese Carnation Revolution.[21] Following the dissolution of SFR Yugoslavia during the Yugoslav wars, Portugal maintained relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, later reconstituted as Serbia and Montenegro and finally as Serbia after Montenegro declared its independence in July 2006.[22] Portugal has an embassy in Belgrade. Serbia has an embassy in Lisbon.[22] In April 1999, Portugal participated in the NATO bombing of Serbia from the Aviano air base in Italy.[23] Portugal also provided troops as part of NATO peacekeeping efforts in the breakaway Serbian province of Kosovo in 1999.[24] In April 1999, Serbia filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice regarding Portugal's use of force in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.[25] As of 2007, Portugal still had about 300 troops in Kosovo.[26]
In the January–October 2006 period, bilateral trade between Serbia and Portugal were estimated at US$12.7 million.[22] |
Spain | See Portugal–Spain relations.
Historically, the two states were long-standing adversaries, but in recent years, they have enjoyed a much friendlier relationship and in 1986, they entered the European Union together. | |
Sweden |
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Switzerland |
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Ukraine | 1991 | See Portugal–Ukraine relations.
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United Kingdom | See Portugal–United Kingdom relations.
The relationship dates back to the Middle Ages in 1373 with the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance. |
Oceania
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
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Australia | ||
New Zealand |
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References
- "Germany and Sweden largest net contributors to EU budget". euractiv.com.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 April 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2008.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Alker, Hayward R.; Ted Robert Gurr; Kumar Rupesinghe (2001). Journeys Through Conflict: Narratives and Lessons. p. 204.
- "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2018.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Culture of Portugal". everyculture.com. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
- Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: direction of Armenians embassies around the world Archived 4 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine
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- Communiqué issued on 18 July 1977 by the Permanent Mission of Portugal to the United Nations Archived 22 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- "현재 북한과 교류하는 나라와 독재국가". kin.naver.com.
- Herald, The Korea (11 October 2017). "Portugal cuts diplomatic ties with N. Korea: report". koreaherald.com.
- http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/countries/europe/countries/20070823/1_24606.jsp?menu=m_30_40
- https://www.seul.embaixadaportugal.mne.pt/pt/
- http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/pt-ko/index.do
- Përfaqësitë Diplomatike Shqiptare në Botë, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania (in Albanian)
- "Comunicado de Imprensa – Kosovo" (in Portuguese). Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeriros. 7 October 2008. Archived from the original on 21 October 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2008.
- "Anunciou Luís Amado: Portugal reconhece hoje independência do Kosovo". Publico (in Portuguese). Lisbon: Publico. 7 October 2008. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 7 October 2008.
- "Portugal recognises independent Kosovo" newkosovareport.com 7 October 2008 Link accessed 07/10/08
- "Diplomatic Missions of Kosovo Abroad (Albanian)" Archived 7 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine Kosovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Link accessed 01/10/09
- Gerhard Schulz (1972). Revolutions and peace treaties, 1917–1920. Methuen. p. 35.
- Ahmet Đonlagić; Žarko Atanacković; Dušan Plenča (1967). Yugoslavia in the Second World War. Međunarodna štampa—Interpress. p. 41.
- Lester A. Sobel; Christ Hunt (1976). Portuguese revolution, 1974–76. Facts on File. p. 76. ISBN 0-87196-223-3.
- "BILATERAL POLITICAL RELATIONS". Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
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- "NATO-member Portugal wants to withdraw troops from Kosovo". International Action Center (New York). 24 October 2000. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
- "THE APPLICATION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA AGAINST PORTUGAL FOR VIOLATION OF THE OBLIGATION NOT TO USE FORCE" (PDF). International Court of Justice. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
- "FACTBOX-NATO's Kosovo peace force". Reuters. 24 September 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
- "PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVES PORTUGUESE FOREIGN MINISTER". Hellenic Resources Network. 23 December 1997. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
- "OSCE Chairman-in-Office visits Belgrade and Podgorica". OSCE. 18 February 2002. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
- "Serbia-Montenegro, Portugal to promote military cooperation". Xinhua News Agency. 25 July 2005. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
- "Portugal pledges support for Serbia's EU ambitions". People's Daily Online. 18 May 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
- "Kostunica On Visit To Lisbon, Berlin". eYugoslavia. 16 July 2007. Archived from the original on 13 January 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
- "Portugal reconhece hoje independência do Kosovo". PÚBLICO Comunicação Social SA. 7 October 2008. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
- "Portugal favors unfreezing of trade deal". B92 Radio (Serbia). 25 November 2008. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
- "Serbia is Strengthening its Cooperation Links in S&T". European Community's Programme for International Cooperation. 16 November 2008. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
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- "Посольство України в Португальській Республіці". Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
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