Foreign relations of Portugal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Foreign relations of Portugal are linked with its historical role as a major player in the Age of Discovery and the holder of the now defunct Portuguese Empire. Portugal is a European Union member country and a founding member of NATO. It is a committed proponent of European integration and transatlantic relations. Paulo Rangel is the current Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal.

Historical

Historically, the focus of Portuguese diplomacy has been to preserve its independence, vis-à-vis, the danger of annexation by Spain, and the maintenance of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, which officially came into being in 1386, and with the United Kingdom as a successor to England, it is still in place today.

Other goals have also been constant such as the political stability of the Iberian Peninsula and the affirmation of Portuguese interests in Europe and the Atlantic (also in the Indian and Pacific Oceans throughout different moments in history).

International organizations

Angela Merkel and José Manuel Barroso

Portugal was a founding member of NATO (1949), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (1961), and European Free Trade Area (1960); it left the latter in 1986 to join the European Economic Community, which would become the European Union (EU) in 1993. In 1996, it co-founded the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). The country is a member state of the United Nations since 1955.

Recently, the primacy of the United States and inter-governmental organizations such as NATO and the United Nations have also been paramount in the affirmation of Portugal abroad.

Portugal has been a significant beneficiary of the EU. It was among the top beneficiaries of the EU-15 between 1995 and 2004 (only behind Spain and Greece in absolute terms, and behind Ireland and Greece in a per capita basis).[1] Portugal is a proponent of European integration and held the presidency of the European Union for the second time during the first half of 2000, and again in the second half of 2007. Portugal used its term to launch a dialogue between the EU and Africa and to begin to take steps to make the European economy dynamic and competitive. In 2002, the euro began to circulate as Portugal's currency. José Sócrates, as Prime Minister of Portugal, presided over the rotative Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the period July–December 2007.[2] In this post, Sócrates and his team focused on the EU-Brazil (1st EU-Brazil summit) and EU-African Union (2007 Africa-EU Summit) relations, as well as in the approval of the Treaty of Lisbon.

Portugal was a founding member of NATO; it is an active member of the alliance by, for example, contributing proportionally large contingents in Balkan peacekeeping forces. Portugal proposed the creation of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) to improve its ties with other Portuguese-speaking countries. Additionally, Portugal has participated, along with Spain, in a series of Ibero-American Summit. Portugal held the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for the year 2002. The chairman-in-office was Portuguese Foreign Minister António Martins da Cruz.

Disputes

Portugal holds claim to the disputed territory of Olivença on the Portugal-Spain border.

International visits

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Portugal maintains diplomatic relations with:

More information #, Country ...
# Country Date[3]
1 Spain 5 October 1143
2 United Kingdom 9 May 1386[4]
— Holy See 12 February 1481[5]
3 France 7 January 1485
4 Iran 1513[6]
5 Ethiopia 1520[7]
6 Netherlands February 1641
7 Denmark 18 March 1641[8]
8 Sweden 10 June 1641
9 Russia 24 October 1779
10 United States 13 May 1791[9]
11 Argentina 28 July 1821[10]
12 Brazil 29 August 1825
13 Belgium 8 August 1834[11]
14 Greece 22 July 1835[12]
15 Paraguay 14 February 1846
16 Uruguay 14 February 1846
17 Peru 26 March 1853[13]
18 Colombia 9 April 1857
19 Thailand 10 February 1859[14]
20 Japan 3 August 1860
21 Italy 24 October 1860[15]
22  Switzerland 5 November 1872
23 Bolivia 10 May 1879
24 Mexico 6 December 1879
25 Serbia 14 November 1882
26 Dominican Republic 1 May 1883[16]
27 Guatemala 20 August 1884[17]
28 Luxembourg 21 May 1891
29 Panama 21 May 1904[18]
30 Norway 17 March 1906[19]
31 Chile 26 November 1912
32 Costa Rica 10 July 1913
33 Venezuela 11 December 1913[20]
34 Romania 27 August 1917
35 Cuba 16 May 1919[21]
36 Finland 10 January 1920
37 Czech Republic 18 October 1920[22]
38 Austria 4 April 1922[23]
39 Poland 13 May 1922
40 Egypt 25 June 1925[24]
41 Turkey 28 May 1926[25]
42 South Africa 9 September 1935[26]
43 Ireland 26 February 1942[27]
44 Philippines 4 July 1946
45 Iceland 23 January 1948[28]
46 India 12 August 1948[29][30]
47 Ecuador 28 August 1948
48 Pakistan 4 November 1949
49 Indonesia 13 May 1950[31]
50 Canada 12 April 1952
51 Germany 10 November 1952[32]
52 Sri Lanka 7 January 1953[33]
53 Lebanon 1955
54 Morocco 18 December 1956[34]
55 Tunisia 21 May 1957
56 Nicaragua 3 March 1958[35]
57 Honduras 20 October 1958
58 Democratic Republic of the Congo 7 July 1960
59 Australia 4 August 1960
60 Madagascar 20 September 1960[36]
61 South Korea 15 April 1961[37]
62 Republic of the Congo 25 May 1961
— Sovereign Military Order of Malta 19 December 1962[38]
63 Iraq 8 February 1963
64 Haiti 1965
65 El Salvador 15 March 1966[39]
66 Eswatini 6 September 1968
67 Malawi 26 March 1969
68 Jordan 5 July 1972[40]
69 Bulgaria 26 June 1974
70 Hungary 1 July 1974
71 Mongolia 25 July 1974
72 Senegal 2 September 1974
73 Guinea-Bissau 29 November 1974
74 Bangladesh 16 December 1974
75 Ivory Coast 28 January 1975
76 Gabon 30 January 1975
77 Sierra Leone 18 February 1975[41]
78 Syria 19 February 1975
79 Burundi 22 February 1975
80 Cyprus 5 March 1975
81 Algeria 7 March 1975
82 Liberia 19 March 1975
83 Kuwait 1 April 1975
84 Tanzania 1 April 1975
85 Zambia 3 April 1975
86 Yemen 18 April 1975
— North Korea (suspended)[42] 22 April 1975
87 Ghana 27 May 1975
88 Mozambique 25 June 1975
89 Vietnam 1 July 1975
90 Niger 10 July 1975
91 Nigeria 10 July 1975
92 São Tomé and Príncipe 18 July 1975
93 Cape Verde 18 July 1975
94 Malta 22 July 1975
95 Malaysia December 1975
96 Libya 1975
97 Rwanda 12 February 1976
98 Mauritania 3 March 1976
99 Angola 9 March 1976
100 Lesotho 29 March 1976
101 Afghanistan 14 April 1976
102 United Arab Emirates 20 June 1976
103 New Zealand 22 June 1976
104 Bahrain 10 July 1976
105 Seychelles 16 August 1976[43]
106   Nepal 1 September 1976
107 Gambia 8 September 1976
108 Grenada 8 September 1976
109 Papua New Guinea 15 October 1976
110 Myanmar 14 November 1976[44]
111 Mauritius 12 December 1976
112 Mali 17 December 1976
113 Kenya 10 January 1977
114 Cameroon 12 February 1977
115 Central African Republic 15 February 1977
116 Fiji 21 February 1977
117 Suriname 2 May 1977
118 Chad 4 May 1977[45]
119 Equatorial Guinea 9 May 1977[45]
120 Israel 12 May 1977
121 Albania 21 June 1977
122 Benin 25 July 1977[45]
123 Trinidad and Tobago 2 September 1977
124 Togo 17 March 1978[45]
125 Burkina Faso 7 July 1978[46]
126 Guinea 2 January 1979
127 China 2 February 1979[47]
128 Guyana 14 February 1979
129 Jamaica 26 February 1979
130 Oman 26 October 1979
131 Zimbabwe 18 April 1980
132 Botswana 21 April 1980
133 Saudi Arabia 18 July 1980
134 Singapore 7 January 1981
135 Sudan 11 January 1981
136 Qatar 1 May 1982
137 Antigua and Barbuda 20 March 1983
138 Somalia 3 April 1983
139 Vanuatu 30 August 1983
140 Kiribati 15 November 1983
141 Barbados 23 February 1989[48]
142 Estonia 1 October 1991
143 Latvia 2 October 1991
144 Lithuania 4 October 1991
145 Namibia 22 November 1991
146 Uganda 2 December 1991
147 Belarus 26 January 1992[49]
148 Ukraine 27 January 1992
149 Croatia 3 February 1992
150 Slovenia 3 February 1992
151 Liechtenstein 6 February 1992[50]
152 Georgia 23 May 1992
153 Armenia 25 May 1992
154 Cambodia 29 May 1992[51]
155 Azerbaijan 4 August 1992
156 Tajikistan 7 August 1992
157 Turkmenistan 13 August 1992
158 Kyrgyzstan 18 August 1992[52]
159 Kazakhstan 19 August 1992
160 Uzbekistan 28 August 1992
161 Belize 9 December 1992[45]
162 Slovakia 2 January 1993
163 Moldova 10 February 1993[53]
164 Bahamas 27 May 1993[45]
165 North Macedonia 15 November 1994
166 Andorra 22 December 1994[45]
167 Maldives 9 February 1995
168 Marshall Islands 10 February 1995[45]
169 Federated States of Micronesia 24 March 1995[45]
170 Saint Kitts and Nevis 1 March 1995[45]
171 San Marino 27 March 1995[45]
172 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 12 April 1995
173 Laos 31 May 1995[45]
— Cook Islands 12 August 1995
174 Eritrea 8 June 1995[45]
175 Samoa 9 June 1995[45]
176 Bosnia and Herzegovina 13 November 1995
177 Djibouti 19 March 1996[45]
178 Brunei 22 March 1996[45]
179 Palau 17 May 1996[45]
180 Saint Lucia 19 September 1996[45]
181 Solomon Islands 20 November 1996[45]
182 Comoros 27 December 1996[45]
183 Dominica 27 December 1996[45]
184 Timor-Leste 20 May 2002
185 Montenegro 17 May 2007[45]
186 Monaco 13 November 2008[54]
187 Tonga 26 November 2008[45]
188 Tuvalu 26 May 2009
189 Nauru 9 September 2009[45]
— Kosovo 14 November 2011[55]
190 South Sudan 23 April 2013[45]
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Bilateral relationships

Africa

More information Country, Formal relations began ...
Country Formal relations began Notes
Algeria7 March 1975[3]
  • Algeria has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Algiers.
Angola9 March 1976[3]See Angola–Portugal relations.

Portugal ruled Angola for 400 years,[56] colonizing the territory from 1483 until independence in 1975. Angola's war for independence did not end in a military victory for either side, but was suspended as a result of a coup in Portugal, that replaced the Caetano regime with a Military junta.

  • Angola has an embassy in Lisbon and a consulate-general in Porto.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Luanda and a consulate-general in Benguela.
Cape Verde18 July 1975[3]See Cape Verde–Portugal relations
  • Cape Verde has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Praia.
Democratic Republic of Congo7 July 1960[3]
  • DR Congo has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Kinshasa.
Egypt24 November 1942[3]
  • Egypt has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Cairo.
Equatorial Guinea9 March 1977[3]
  • Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Malabo.
Ethiopia1520[7]
  • Ethiopia is accredited to Portugal from its embassy in Paris, France.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Addis Ababa.
Guinea-Bissau29 November 1974[3]See Guinea-Bissau–Portugal relations
  • Guinea-Bissau has an embassy in Lisbon and a consulate-general in Albufeira.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Bissau.
Ivory Coast28 January 1975[3]
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal is accredited to Ivory Coast from its embassy in Dakar, Senegal.
Libya1975[3]
  • Libya has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal's embassy in Tripoli is currently suspended due to the current Libyan Crisis.
Morocco16 May 1955[3]See Morocco–Portugal relations
  • Morocco has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Rabat.
Mozambique25 June 1975[3]See Mozambique–Portugal relations.

Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975.

  • Mozambique has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Maputo and a consulate-general in Beira.
Nigeria10 July 1975[3]
  • Nigeria has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Abuja.
São Tomé and Príncipe18 July 1975[3]See Portugal–São Tomé and Príncipe relations.
  • Portugal has an embassy in São Tomé.
  • São Tomé and Príncipe has an embassy in Lisbon.
Senegal2 September 1974[3]
  • Portugal has an embassy in Dakar.
  • Senegal has an embassy in Lisbon.
South AfricaFebruary 1886[3]See Portugal–South Africa relations.
Tanzania[3]
  • Portugal is accredited to Tanzania from its embassy in Maputo, Mozambique.
Tunisia21 May 1957[3]
  • Portugal has an embassy in Tunis.
  • Tunisia has an embassy in Lisbon.
Close

Americas

More information Country, Formal relations began ...
Country Formal relations began Notes
Argentina9 August 1852[3]See Argentina–Portugal relations
Belize9 December 1992[45]

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 December 1992.[57]

Brazil29 August 1825[3]See Brazil–Portugal relations.

Relations between Brazil and Portugal have spanned over four centuries, beginning in 1532 with the establishment of São Vicente, the first Portuguese permanent settlement in the Americas, up to the present day.[58] Relations between the two are intrinsically tied because of the Portuguese Empire. They continue to be bound by a common language and ancestral lines in Portuguese Brazilians, which can be traced back hundreds of years.

Canada12 April 1952[3]See Canada–Portugal relations.
  • Canada has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
  • Both nations are part of NATO.
Chile28 February 1879[3]See Chile–Portugal relations
  • Chile has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Santiago.
Colombia9 April 1857[3]
  • Formal relations began in 1857.
  • Colombia has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Bogotá.
Cuba1929[3]
  • Cuba has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Havana.
El Salvador15 March 1966[39]
  • El Salvador has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal is accredited to El Salvador from its embassy in Mexico City, Mexico.
Mexico6 December 1879[3]See Mexico–Portugal relations.
Panama21 May 1904[18]
  • Panama has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Panama City.
Peru26 March 1853[13]
Main article: Peru–Portugal relations
  • Peru has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Lima.
United States13 May 1791[9]See Portugal–United States relations.

Portugal was among the first nations to establish diplomatic ties with the United States. Contributing to the strong ties between the United States and Portugal are the 20,000 Americans living in Portugal and some 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 Portuguese Autonomous region of the Azores.

Uruguay16 October 1852[59]See Portugal–Uruguay relations.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Montevideo.
  • Uruguay has an embassy in Lisbon.
Venezuela1914[3]
  • Portugal has an embassy in Caracas and a consulate-general in Valencia.
  • Venezuela has an embassy in Lisbon.
Close

Asia

More information Country, Formal relations began ...
Country Formal relations began Notes
Armenia25 May 1992[3]See Armenia–Portugal relations.
  • Armenia is accredited to Portugal from its embassy in Rome, Italy.[60]
  • Portugal is accredited to Armenia from its embassy in Moscow, Russia.[61]
  • Portugal has recognized the Armenian genocide in 2019.
Azerbaijan4 August 1992[3]See Azerbaijan-Portugal relations.
  • Azerbaijan is accredited to Portugal from its embassy in Rabat, Morocco.
  • Portugal is accredited to Azerbaijan from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
Bahrain10 July 1976[3]See Bahrain–Portugal relations.

Bahrain was ruled by the Portuguese Empire from 1521 until 1602, when they were expelled by Shah Abbas I of the Safavid dynasty.

China2 February 1979[47]See China–Portugal relations.
  • China has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Beijing and consulates-general in Macau and Shanghai.
India22 June 1949[3]See India–Portugal relations.
  • Relations between India and Portugal began amicably in 1947 when the former achieved independence. Relations went into decline after 1950 over Portugal's refusal to surrender its enclaves of Goa, Daman and Diu on India's west coast. By 1955, the two nations had cut off diplomatic relations, triggering a crisis which precipitated in the invasion of Portuguese India in 1961. Portugal refused to recognize Indian sovereignty over the annexed territories until 1974 when, following the Carnation Revolution, the new government in Lisbon recognized Indian sovereignty and restored diplomatic relations.
  • Relations have turned cordial since then and a number of state visits have been made, treaties have been signed. Indo-Portuguese bilateral trade grew from US$69 million in 1991 to US$289.52 million in 2005.
  • The Indian state of Goa hosted the 2013 Lusophony Games, the third edition of the multi-sport event for delegations representing every Portuguese-speaking National Olympic Committees.
  • India has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in New Delhi and a consulate-general in Panjim, Goa.
Indonesia4 January 1965[3]See Indonesia–Portugal relations.

In 1999, Indonesia and Portugal restored diplomatic relations, which were broken off following the Indonesian invasion of East Timor in 1975.

  • Indonesia has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Jakarta.
Iran1513[6]See Portuguese–Safavid relations and Iran–Portugal relations
  • Iran has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Tehran.
Iraq
  • Iraq has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal is represented in Iraq through embassy in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates).
Israel12 May 1977[3]See Israel–Portugal relations

The Estado Novo regime did not recognize Israel. Full diplomatic relations with the Israeli government were established in 1977, following the Portuguese revolution of 1974.[62]

  • Israel has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Tel Aviv.
Japan3 August 1860[3]See Japan–Portugal relations.
  • Japan has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Tokyo.
Kazakhstan19 August 1992[3]
  • Kazakhstan has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Astana.
North Korea22 April 1975[3]See Portugal–North Korea relations.

In 1975, North Korea and Portugal established diplomatic relations.[63] In 2017, Portugal cut diplomatic ties with North Korea.[64]

Pakistan4 November 1949[3]
  • Pakistan has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Islamabad.
Philippines4 July 1946[3]
  • Philippines has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal is accredited to the Philippines from its embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Qatar1 May 1982[3]
  • Portugal has an embassy in Doha.
  • Qatar has an embassy in Lisbon.
Saudi Arabia18 July 1980[3]
  • Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Riyadh.
South Korea15 April 1961[37]See Portugal–South Korea relations

Although far apart in geographical terms, the known contacts between Portugal and Korea date from the beginning of the 17th century.

  • In 1604, a Portuguese merchant, João Mendes, traveled to East Asia via Macao to engage in trading and, after having been taken captive along with other crew in a sea battle with a Japanese foreign trade mission boat, landed in Tongyang, on the Southeastern coast of Korea.
    • But before that – throughout the 16th century – both Portuguese cartography and texts written by Portuguese Jesuit fathers provide a significant number of references to Korea. Luís de Fróis, in his History of Japan (which includes ten chapters on Korea), Tomé Pires, in his Summa Oriental, Fernão Mendes Pinto, celebrated author of The Peregrination, Fernão Vaz Dourado, Gaspar Vilela, or father Manuel Teixeira, are some of the authors and cartographers where numerous references to Korea can be found.
    • On the basis of toponyms related to Korea found in texts written and charts drawn by Portuguese travelers and cartographers, Korean historians have attributed to the Portuguese the introduction of Korea to the Western world.
    • Thus, Portugal and Korea can trace their relations back to the era when Portugal played a pioneering role in opening the sea routes between Europe and Asia, between East and West, setting out the first wave of globalization and fostering multiform contacts and exchanges between different civilizations that became the hallmark of the modern world.
    • Today, the relations between Portugal and Korea stand on solid grounds, built upon an extensive network of bilateral agreements and political visits at high level, as well as on a growing exchange of people to people contacts. With Asia taking centerpiece place in the world economy and Korea playing a leading role in Asia, trade and relations between both countries are expected to develop further.
  • On the sidelines of their meeting on 10 April the South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and his Portuguese counterpart Rui Machete signed the Memorandum of Understanding between South Korea and Portugal concerning a Working Holiday Program.
  • The Memorandum of understanding (MOU) was brought into force on 10 April 2014, allowing an annual 200 youngsters aged 18–30 of each country to stay in the other country for up to one year traveling and working.
  • South Korea is the first country Portugal has concluded such an MOU with The bilateral MOU is expected to offer opportunities to future leaders of the two countries to better understand each other's cultures and promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.[65]
  • Portugal has an embassy in Seoul.[66]
  • South Korea has an embassy in Lisbon.[67]
Thailand10 February 1859[14]See Portugal–Thailand relations
  • Portugal has an embassy in Bangkok.
  • Thailand has an embassy in Lisbon.
Timor-Leste20 May 2002[3]See Portugal–Timor-Leste relations.

East Timor was an overseas territory of Portugal for over 400 years. Portugal was a strong advocate of independence for East Timor, which was occupied annexed by neighboring Indonesia between 1975 and 1999, and has committed troops and money to Timor-Leste, in close cooperation with the United Nations and Timor-Leste's Asian neighbors.

  • Timor-Leste has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Dili.
Turkey20 March 1843[3]See Portugal–Turkey relations

Turkey's 161 years of political relations with Portugal date back to the Ottoman period when the Visconde do Seixal was appointed as an envoy to Istanbul. Diplomatic relations ceased during World War I and were re-established in the Republican period in 1926. A resident embassy was established in 1957.

United Arab Emirates20 June 1976[3]See Portugal–United Arab Emirates relations
  • Portugal has an embassy in Abu Dhabi.
  • United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Lisbon.
Vietnam1 July 1975[3]
  • Portugal is accredited to Vietnam from its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. However, Portugal has a consulate-general in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Vietnam is accredited to Portugal from its embassy in Paris, France.
Close

Europe

More information Country, Formal relations began ...
Country Formal relations began Notes
Albania19 December 1939[3]See Albania–Portugal relations.
  • Albania has an embassy in Lisbon.[68]
  • Portugal has an embassy in Tirana.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
  • Albania is an EU candidate and Portugal is an EU member.
Andorra22 December 1994[69]See Andorra–Portugal relations
  • Andorra has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal is accredited to Andorra from its embassy in Madrid, Spain.
AustriaApril 1696[3]See Austria–Portugal relations
BelgiumJuly 1834[3]See Belgium–Portugal relations
  • Belgium has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Bulgaria26 June 1974[3]See Bulgaria–Portugal relations.
  • Diplomatic relations were first established in 1925. They were severed in 1945 and were restored on 24 June 1974.
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Sofia.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
  • In 2007, the two countries signed a police co-operation agreement.
Croatia3 February 1992[3]
  • Croatia has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Zagreb.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Cyprus5 March 1975[3]
Czech Republic1921
  • Czech Republic has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Prague.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Denmark18 March 1641[8]See Denmark–Portugal relations.
Estonia
  • Estonia has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Helsinki, Finland.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Finland10 January 1920[3]See Finland–Portugal relations
  • Finland has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Helsinki.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
  • Portugal fully supported Finland's application to join NATO, which resulted in membership on 4 April 2023.
France1485[3]See France–Portugal relations

Portuguese links to France have remained very strong and the country is considered one of Portugal's main political partners.

Germany1871[3]See Germany–Portugal relations
Greece22 July 1835[12]See Greece–Portugal relations
  • Greece has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Athens.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Holy See23 May 1179[3]See Holy See–Portugal relations
  • Holy See has an apostolic nunciature in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy to the Holy See based in Rome.
Hungary1 July 1974[3]
  • Hungary has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Budapest.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Iceland23 January 1948[28]
  • Iceland is accredited to Portugal from its embassy in Paris, France.
  • Portugal is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Oslo, Norway.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Ireland1942[3]
Italy15 July 1872[3]See Italy–Portugal relations
  • Italy has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Rome.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Kosovo14 November 2011[55]See Kosovo–Portugal relations.

Portugal recognized Kosovo on 7 October 2008.[70][71][72] Kosovo has formally announced its decision to open an embassy in Lisbon.[73]

Luxembourg
Malta22 July 1975[3]See Malta–Portugal relations.
  • Malta has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal is accredited to Malta from its embassy in Rome, Italy.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and of the Council of Europe.
NetherlandsFebruary 1641[3]See Netherlands–Portugal relations
North Macedonia
  • North Macedonia is accredited to Portugal from its embassy in Paris, France.
  • Portugal is accredited to North Macedonia from its embassy in Belgrade, Serbia.
  • Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and NATO.
  • North Macedonia is an EU candidate and Portugal is an EU member.
Norway17 March 1906[19]
  • Norway has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Oslo.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Poland13 May 1922[3]See Poland–Portugal relations
  • Poland has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Romania27 August 1917[3]See Portugal–Romania relations
  • Portugal has an embassy in Bucharest.
  • Romania has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Russia24 October 1779[3]See Portugal–Russia relations.
Serbia14 November 1882[3]See Portugal–Serbia relations.

Portugal established diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Serbia on 19 October 1917.[74] Relations continued with the successor Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The Portuguese recognized the government in exile of this state after the German occupation of 1941.[75] Relations with the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which took power in 1945 after World War II, were only established in 1974 after the Portuguese Carnation Revolution.[76] Following the dissolution of SFR Yugoslavia during the Yugoslav wars, Portugal maintained relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, later reconstituted as Serbia and Montenegro and finally as Serbia after Montenegro declared its independence in July 2006.[77] Portugal has an embassy in Belgrade. Serbia has an embassy in Lisbon.[77]

In April 1999, Portugal participated in the NATO bombing of Serbia from the Aviano air base in Italy.[78] Portugal also provided troops as part of NATO peacekeeping efforts in the breakaway Serbian province of Kosovo in 1999.[79] In April 1999, Serbia filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice regarding Portugal's use of force in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.[80] As of 2007, Portugal still had about 300 troops in Kosovo.[81]

  • In December 1997, President of Yugoslavia Slobodan Milošević received Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama to discuss strengthening bilateral relations.[82]
  • In January 2002, Jaime Gama returned to Yugoslavia in his capacity as Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Chairman-in-Office. The OSCE was engaged in stabilizing the situation in southern Serbia following the Kosovo War.[83]
  • In November 2003, the President of Serbia and Montenegro, Svetozar Marović, visited Portugal. During this visit, he signed an agreement on the succession of Bilateral Agreements between Yugoslavia and Portugal, extending prior agreements on tourism, business, scientific, and technological co-operation, and co-operation in information.[77]
  • In July 2005, Portuguese Minister of Defense Luís Amado visited Serbia and Montenegro, where he discussed military co-operation with his Serbian counterpart.[84]
  • In May 2007, Portuguese Foreign Minister Luís Amado gave strong support for Serbian ambitions to join the European Union.[85]
  • In July 2007, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica visited Lisbon.[86]
  • In October 2008, Portugal recognized Kosovo's independence from Serbia.[87] (See also Kosovan–Portuguese relations.)
  • In November 2008, Portuguese Foreign Minister Luís Amado met with his Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremić in Belgrade and voiced his support for removing the suspension of a trade agreement between Serbia and the European Union.[88] Also that month, the Serbian Minister of Science and Technological Development met a Portuguese delegation and discussed cooperation in energy efficiency, nanotechnology, and the food industry, with plans to sign a co-operation agreement on science and technology by the end of 2008.[89]
  • In February 2009, Serbian Defence Minister Dragan Šutanovac met with his Portuguese counterpart Nuno Severiano Teixeira. They signed an agreement on defense cooperation and discussed Serbia's NATO bid.[90][91]
  • In June 2009, Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković met with Portuguese parliamentary speaker Jaime Gama, and discussed improvements to bilateral cooperation.[92]

In the January–October 2006 period, bilateral trade between Serbia and Portugal were estimated at US$12.7 million.[77]

Spain5 October 1143[3]See Portugal–Spain relations.

Historically, the two states were long-standing adversaries, but in recent years, they have enjoyed a much friendlier relationship and in 1986, they entered the European Union together.

Sweden29 July 1641[3]See Portugal–Sweden relations
  • Portugal has an embassy in Stockholm.
  • Sweden has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union, NATO and of the Council of Europe.
  • Portugal fully supported Sweden's application to join NATO, which resulted in membership on 7 March 2024.
 Switzerland5 November 1872[3]
  • Portugal has an embassy in Bern.
  • Switzerland has an embassy in Lisbon.
Ukraine27 January 1992[3]See Portugal–Ukraine relations.
  • Portugal recognized Ukraine's independence in 1991.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Kyiv.
  • Ukraine has an embassy in Lisbon and a consulate in Porto.[95]
  • Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and of the Council of Europe.
  • Portugal is an EU member and Ukraine is an EU candidate.
  • As of 2015, according to United Nations statistics, there are 45,051 Ukrainians living in Portugal.[96]
United Kingdom9 May 1386See Portugal–United Kingdom relations.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa in 10 Downing Street, June 2022.

Portugal established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 9 May 1386.[4][irrelevant citation]

Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic Co-operation Pact,[100] the Council of Europe, NATO, the OECD, the OSCE, the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, and a Double Taxation Convention.[101]

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Oceania

More information Country, Formal relations began ...
Country Formal relations began Notes
Australia4 August 1960[3]
  • Australia has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Canberra and a consulate-general in Sydney.
New Zealand22 June 1976[3]
  • New Zealand is accredited to Portugal from its embassy in Paris, France.
  • Portugal is accredited to New Zealand from its embassy in Canberra, Australia.
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References

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