Macron: Portugal-France ties are sign of "a stronger Europe"
Yesterday, French President Emmanuel Macron began a two-day state visit to Portugal, the first by a French head of state in the 21st century.
Following shortly from his meeting with Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., French President Emmanuel Macron has begun a two-day state visit to Portugal, marking the first official visit by a French leader in 26 years.
The visit aims to solidify political, economic, and cultural ties between the two nations, with the signing of around a dozen bilateral agreements.
Diplomatic and Economic Engagements
Macron arrived in Lisbon on Thursday, where he was welcomed with military honors by Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in a rain-soaked ceremony at Praça do Império.
The two leaders listened to the national anthems before Macron laid a wreath at the tomb of Luís de Camões in the Jerónimos Monastery.
Macron later met Prime Minister Luís Montenegro at the official residence in São Bento for a private meeting, followed by an extended working lunch attended by high-ranking officials from both governments.
The discussions centered on defense, security, trade, and industrial cooperation, with an emphasis on European defense initiatives amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Among the agreements to be signed is a defense cooperation deal, including Portugal’s planned purchase of up to 36 Caesar artillery systems and expanded collaboration on drone technology.
Other key agreements focus on cultural, scientific, and police cooperation, as well as film co-production and higher education initiatives.
A significant part of Macron’s visit is reinforcing economic ties, as evidenced by the presence of Air France-KLM CEO in the official delegation.
A company source reaffirmed its interest in TAP Air Portugal’s privatization, calling Portugal a priority market.
A Focus on Sustainability and the Oceans
In the afternoon, Macron and Montenegro attended a ceremony marking the transfer of leadership for the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) from Portugal to France.
Speaking at the Centro Cultural de Belém, Macron praised Portugal’s efforts in ocean conservation, calling the country a “source of inspiration”.
He reiterated France’s commitment to protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030, stressing that Portugal and France, as maritime nations, must work together on sustainable solutions.
Macron Heads to Porto for More Diplomatic Engagements
Today, Macron will travel to Porto, where additional agreements will be signed, further cementing Franco-Portuguese relations.
He will also attend a French-Portuguese business forum, reinforcing economic collaboration between the two countries.
The visit underscores the historical ties between France and Portugal, home to nearly two million Portuguese descendants.
Macron last visited Lisbon in 2022 for the previous UN Ocean Conference, while President Rebelo de Sousa recently attended the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony.
This landmark visit highlights Portugal and France’s shared commitment to diplomacy, defense, and economic growth, strengthening a partnership that continues to evolve in a rapidly changing global landscape.