50. Joint Declaration of the Portugal-United States of America Permanent Bilateral Commission

1. The Permanent Bilateral Commission (SBC) between Portugal and the United States, established by the 1995 Agreement on Cooperation and Defense, met for its 50th session in Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, on December 5, to consider developments in bilateral relations discuss and exchange opinions on pressing international issues. The SBC also discussed NATO and security and defense issues, with both sides reaffirming their long-standing commitment to transatlantic security.

2. The groundbreaking 50th SBC on the island of Terceira celebrated the historical importance of the Azores and the Atlantic to bilateral relations between Portugal and the United States. The SBC delegations (Appendix I) thank the Regional Government of the Azores and the Air Base 4 of the Portuguese Air Force as well as the 65th Air Base Group of the US Air Force at Lajes Field for their warm hospitality and support of the visit.

3. Both delegations emphasized the importance of the bilateral partnership, based on deep historical ties, shared democratic values ​​and a common vision for addressing global challenges. The SBC noted President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s September visit to Portuguese communities in the United States. Delegations welcomed the fact that, according to the AMIGOS law, Portuguese nationals will be eligible for trader and investor visas (e-visas) from mid-2024.

4. Portugal and the United States held a high-level dialogue on oceans, in particular on the importance of scientific and technological cooperation between their universities, government departments and agencies. Delegations underlined their determination to deepen bilateral economic ties and investments in the areas of energy, climate and digital transformation, and to seize the opportunities of a sustainable blue economy supported by marine research and new technologies. A trade delegation to the United States in October and large investments by U.S. companies in submarine cables, technology and the Portuguese service sector played an important role in achieving these goals.

5. Delegations discussed the implementation of the three Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between Portugal and the USA. Both delegations committed to advancing concrete actions on cancer research and treatment in Lusophone Africa, as envisaged in the MoU between the Ministry of Health and the National Cancer Institute. They welcomed ongoing collaboration between the Agência para a Gestão Integrada de Fogos Rurais (AGIF), the US Forest Service and US non-governmental organizations to share best practices on wildfire prevention, response and recovery and to use innovative financial tools to support forests . Delegations also noted future opportunities for triangular cooperation on joint sustainable development activities in Africa between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Portuguese Camões Institute. They also discussed other ways to promote scientific collaboration.

6. Both delegations reiterated the importance of strong bilateral and transatlantic relations between the EU and the US to promote peace, security, democracy, multilateralism, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms and to address pressing global challenges. The SBC reiterated the need to address emerging global threats through multilateral cooperation, particularly with the United Nations and its bodies. It also recognized the importance of jointly advancing the women, peace and security agenda.

7. Delegations recognized NATO’s role as the Alliance approaches its 75th anniversary

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