NATO Summit: Prime Minister highlights Portugal's Atlantic priorities and commitment to collective security

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro said that NATO should continue to safeguard the national interests of its Allies in ensuring security in the Atlantic, stressing that Portugal is delivering on its defence commitments and has stepped up investment in the sector.

Speaking on arrival at the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, the Prime Minister said that Portugal "is living up to its responsibilities as an ally" and described maritime security as a strategic priority. He noted that Portugal has strengthened its contribution to the defence of its national territory and to the Alliance's collective security, while highlighting the strategic importance of the Atlantic for the country.

Portugal ended 2025 with defence expenditure reaching 2.01% of GDP, exceeding the 2% target agreed by NATO Allies for the first time since 2014. "We are on a path of compliance," Luís Montenegro said, recalling Portugal's participation in NATO missions in Romania, Slovakia and Lithuania.

Strengthening defence and support for Ukraine

According to the Prime Minister, the Summit is expected to advance the strengthening of NATO's European pillar and reinforce the defence investment commitments undertaken by the Allies. Heads of State and Government are also expected to reaffirm the Alliance's unity and their commitment to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which enshrines the principle of collective defence.

Continued military, political and economic support for Ukraine also features among the Summit's priorities. Luís Montenegro said that this commitment must continue to be reflected in practical support on the ground.

Territorial integrity of NATO Allies

On the sidelines of the Summit, the Prime Minister said he was confident that Denmark's territorial integrity "is not under threat", following comments by United States President Donald Trump regarding Greenland.

Luís Montenegro reaffirmed Portugal's solidarity with Denmark and stressed that the principle of territorial integrity must be respected by all NATO Allies.

"If we uphold that principle externally, then it is only natural that we should safeguard it within the Alliance itself," he said.