Joint Statement on the 51st Permanent Bilateral Commission between the United States and Portugal
It was launched with an initial oncology workshop held in Lisbon from April 29 to 30, attended by the Portuguese Ministry of Health, the US National Cancer Institute, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and oncologists from Lusophone countries. Delegations noted progress in implementing the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding to promote joint sustainable development initiatives between the US Agency for International Development and the Portuguese Camões Institute.
6. The SBC exchanged views on the continued military, economic and diplomatic support of the United States and Portugal to Ukraine.
The Commission welcomed the signing by both sides of the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine and the plans of the United States and Portugal to conclude bilateral security agreements with Ukraine in the near future. The SBC discussed concerns about the transfer of dual-use materials and components for arms and weapons from third countries to Russia
Equipment for military production.
7. With regard to the Middle East, the SBC underlined the urgency of de-escalating tensions, the need to prevent a major regional conflict and the goal of forging a path to peace leading to a two-State solution, starting with a lasting ceasefire solution that will facilitate the sustained provision of large-scale humanitarian assistance. The SBC welcomed the leaders’ joint statement of April 25 calling for the immediate release of all hostages in Gaza. The Commission discussed the importance of protecting freedom of navigation and international trade in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and other key waterways, and holding the Houthis accountable for their illegal and unjustified attacks on merchant and naval vessels. The commission also called for the release of MSC Aries from Iranian custody.
8. The two sides also exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific region and the challenges facing the region, including measures that threaten to undermine the rules-based international order. Given these challenges, including developments in the East and South China Seas, we reaffirm our commitment to working with our partners in the region and beyond to uphold international law. Both sides reiterated the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and stressed that differences between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should be resolved exclusively through peaceful means. There is no change in the one-China policy of the USA and Portugal.
9. The SBC emphasized multilateral and international cooperation as essential tools for addressing global challenges and promoting the stability of a rules-based international system in accordance with the UN Charter. The Commission emphasized sustainable cooperation with emerging partners and welcomed Portugal’s role as an observer at the 2024 G20 Summit in Brazil. In this context, the SBC exchanged views on supporting Brazil’s G20 priorities such as social inclusion, the fight against inequality and poverty, climate change, sustainable development and reform of international organizations.
10. Portugal expressed its intention to support the framework to combat the manipulation of information by foreign states in order to mitigate the negative impact of disinformation and propaganda worldwide. The
