FOREIGN
RELATIONS
Portugal has been a significant beneficiary of European Union funding and is a strong proponent of European integration. Portugal held the presidency of the EU Council for the third time during the latter half of 2007. During its presidency, Portugal oversaw the signing of a new EU reform treaty, staged EU summits with Brazil, Russia, India, China, and Ukraine, and held a second EU-Africa summit.
Portugal is a founding member of NATO; it is an active member of the alliance by, for example, contributing proportionally large contingents in Balkans peacekeeping forces. Portuguese forces also participate in NATO operations in Afghanistan. Portugal proposed the creation of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) to improve its ties with other Portuguese-speaking countries, and it currently holds the chairmanship of the Community of Democracies (CD). Portugal has also participated in a series of Ibero-American summits. Portugal was a strong advocate of independence for Timor-Leste, a former Portuguese colony, and has committed troops and money to Timor-Leste in close cooperation with the United States, Asian allies, and the United Nations. Portugal contributed a small gendarme force to Iraq that it withdrew in February 2005, and has contributed funds and personnel for other training and development projects for Iraq reconstruction, including the NATO Training Mission. Portuguese forces are also part of the UN force in Lebanon.
U.S.-PORTUGUESE
RELATIONS
Bilateral ties date from the earliest years of the United States. Following the Revolutionary War, Portugal was the first neutral country to recognize the United States. On February 21, 1791, President George Washington opened formal diplomatic relations, naming Col. David Humphreys as U.S. minister.
Contributing to the strong ties between the United States and Portugal are the 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 Azores. There are about 20,000 Americans living in Portugal.
The defense relationship between the United States and Portugal is excellent, centered on the 1995 Agreement on Cooperation and Defense (ACD). For 50 years, Lajes Air Base in the Azores has played an important role in supporting U.S. military aircraft. Most recent missions are engaged in counter-terrorism and humanitarian efforts, including operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Portugal defines itself as "Atlanticist," emphasizing its support for strong European ties with the United States, particularly on defense and security issues. Portugal sees its role as host of NATO's "Joint Command Lisbon," located near Lisbon, as an important sign of alliance interest in transatlantic security issues.
U.S.-Portuguese trade is relatively small, with the United States exporting $2.4 billion worth of goods in 2007 and importing an estimated $3.1 billion. While total Portuguese trade has increased dramatically over the last 10 years, the U.S. percentage of Portugal's exports and imports has been growing at a slower rate. The Portuguese Government is seeking to increase exports of textiles and footwear to the United States and is encouraging greater bilateral investment. U.S. firms play significant roles in the pharmaceutical, computer, and retail sectors in Portugal, but their involvement in the automotive manufacturing sector has declined in recent years.
Principal U.S. Officials
Ambassador-Thomas F. Stephenson
Deputy Chief of Mission--David Ballard
Political/Economic Affairs--Matthew Harrington
Consular Affairs--Eugene Sweeney
Management Affairs--Jesse Coronado
Public Affairs--Wes Carrington
Regional Security Officer--Thomas Haycraft
Commercial Affairs--Dillon Banerjee
Defense Attache--COL Richard Villalobos
Office of Defense Cooperation--CDR Ted Bradfield
Consul, Ponta Delgada--Jean Manes
The U.S. Embassy is located at Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1600-081 Lisbon, Portugal (tel.: 351-21-727-3300). The embassy homepage is located at http://lisbon.usembassy.gov/
The Ponta Delgada consulate is located at Avenida Principe Monaco, 6-2 Frente, Ponta Delgada, 9500-237 Sao Miguel, Azores (tel.: 296-282216). The consular agent in Funchal, Madeira is Edgar Potter (tel.: 291-741088).
