Prime Minister: “Successful” NATO Summit strengthens Allied unity

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro said the NATO Summit, held in Ankara, Turkey, on 7 and 8 July, reaffirmed Allied unity, strengthened the transatlantic partnership and reinforced Allies' commitment to increasing defence investment at a time of growing international instability.

At the end of the summit, Luís Montenegro described the meeting as "successful", highlighting the shared commitment of the European Allies, Canada and the United States to step up defence investment. He said this strengthened commitment would enhance NATO's ability to respond to today's security challenges.

According to the Prime Minister, the collective effort will reinforce the Alliance's deterrence and defence capabilities while ensuring support where it is most needed, "in the current context, namely support for Ukraine."

Luís Montenegro also reiterated the importance of NATO maintaining a 360-degree approach to security, with greater attention to the Alliance's southern flank and to maritime security, including the protection of critical infrastructure such as the subsea cables linking Europe and North America.

The Prime Minister also highlighted that the Summit Declaration recognises the defence industry as a strategic pillar for all Allies, underlining the contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises.

From Portugal's perspective, increased defence investment should also foster innovation, technological development, skilled job creation and economic competitiveness.

Portugal's defence commitments recognised

Luís Montenegro revealed that Portugal received "a very positive" assessment from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte regarding the country's credibility in delivering on its defence commitments.

The Prime Minister recalled that, in 2025, Portugal exceeded the NATO benchmark of investing 2% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in defence for the first time since the target was agreed in 2014, representing a 38% increase compared with the previous year.

The Government now expects total defence-related investment to reach around 3.1% of GDP in 2026, combining core defence expenditure with dual-use investment serving both civilian and military purposes, in line with the trajectory agreed with Allies.

Continued support for Ukraine

Portugal will match, in 2026, the military and financial support provided to Ukraine in each of the previous two years and will contribute around €50 million to the Ukraine Air Defence Support Programme.

According to Luís Montenegro, continued support for Ukraine remains essential for collective security and for safeguarding the democratic values shared by the Allies.