Portugal’s position concerning the escalation of the tension in the Middle East was at the core of the fortnightly discussion in Parliament. The Prime Minister Luís Montenegro stressed that the country did not take part in the US and Israeli military intervention and reiterated that the Government’s priority is to protect the Portuguese in the region.

Portuguese citizens’ repatriation and safety

Protecting the Portuguese citizens was indicated as the priority.

"The utmost priority, the one behind our more immediate intervention is the protection and safety of the Portuguese people who reside or are in the region", stated the Prime Minister.

The Government intensified contacts and information gathering and has ongoing repatriation operations whose execution cannot be fully disclosed for security reasons.

Luís Montenegro added that Portugal has two aircrafts in the region and is in permanent coordination with the European Union partners, Airlines, and Governments of the countries in the region to make it easier to bring back the Portuguese citizens.

"We are using our entire capabilities, those countries’ capabilities and our European partners’ capabilities to help the Portuguese", he stated.

On an internal level, an extraordinary meeting was called by the Security Coordination Office to boost protection of critical infrastructure, airports, ports, and embassies.

Diplomacy and articulation with allies

During the discussion, the Prime Minister reiterated that Portugal was not involved int he military intervention and that the country continues to advocate diplomacy and negotiations to ensure international peace.

At the same time, he noted that Portugal has close to the United States as a NATO ally and that the Government has been in articulation with its partners in the European Union, NATO, and the Gulf region.

Using Lajes Airbase

On the use of Lajes Airbase in the Azores, Luís Montenegro assured that Portugal "strictly abided by" the legal rules and bilateral agreement with the United States.

The Prime Minister explained there are two schemes for the airbase being used by foreign military aircraft: a general prior notice scheme and a specific authorisation scheme set in the technical bilateral agreement with the United States.

After the strike, Portugal was formally requested to grant authorisation to use the airbase, which the Government did, conditionally.

This authorisation was granted following consultation with the President in office, the President-elect, and the three major parties represented in Parliament.

The Government determined that any use must respect the principles of international law, namely that the operations are defensive or in retaliation, are necessary and proportional, and using military targets only.

The Prime Minister affirmed that until now, the Prime Minister there is no information indicating lack of compliance with such conditions.