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Immediate Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Portuguese Minister of Defense Helena Carreiras

Pentagon Press Secretary Todd Breasseale provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and his Portuguese counterpart, Minister of Defense Helena Carreiras, met in Brussels, on June 17, 2022, to reaffirm the strong bilateral defense relationship between the United States and Portugal. The Secretary recognized Portugal as a steadfast NATO Ally and reliable friend of the United States.  Both leaders underscored the strategic importance of taking a holistic approach to Atlantic challenges.

The leaders discussed key global security issues including Russia's unprovoked and unjustifiable war in Ukraine, with both leaders noting unwavering NATO unity and support for Ukrainian sovereignty. The Secretary thanked Minister Carreiras for Portuguese military commitments along NATO's eastern flank. He also recognized the importance of Portugal's ongoing humanitarian and security assistance to Ukraine. Both leaders emphasized the importance of Europe's southern flank. The Secretary also highlighted the potentially destabilizing role that malign PRC and Russian influence can play in Africa. Secretary Austin thanked Minister Carreiras for Portugal's robust contributions to international security.

Both leaders welcomed upcoming High Level Defense Talks as a way to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation.