According to a note published on the official website of the presidency of the republic on the internet, this consultative body met this Monday (3) in the Palácio de Belém, under the presidency of the head of state, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, “and unanimously gave a favorable opinion on a new mission in the Mediterranean and on adjustments limited to the proposal for the deployment of national forces for 2022, adopted on November 26, 2021”.
“In addition, Portugal’s support to Ukraine was discussed,” the note adds.
Contacted by the Lusa agency, an official source from the Ministry of National Defense said that this mission in the Mediterranean is within NATO’s (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) scope, dubbed ‘Noble Shield’, and is intended to ” presence and deterrence” of the Atlantic Alliance in this region.
According to an official presidency source, the Prime Minister, António Costa, and the Minister of Finance, Fernando Medina, were not present at the meeting. The Ministers of Environment and Climate and the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing were represented by state secretaries.
Also absent were the presidents of the governments of the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira, nor the deputy of PS Francisco César, elected representative of the parliament in this body.
The Supreme Council of National Defense is a specific collegiate body that consults the President of the Republic on matters related to national defense and the organization, operation and discipline of the armed forces.
This body consists of the Prime Minister, the Ministers of State and National Defence, Foreign Affairs, the Interior, Finance and those responsible for the fields of industry, energy, transport and communications, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces and the heads of the armed forces. Navy, Army and Air Force.
The Supreme Council of National Defense also includes representatives of the Republic and presidents of the governments of the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira, the president of the National Defense Commission of the Assembly of the Republic and two more deputies.
The CSDN met for the last time on June 20, when the review of NATO’s Strategic Concept was discussed and a presentation was made on Portugal’s support to Ukraine in the context of the conflict.
Source: DN
