The Minister of National Defense, Helena Carreiras, this Friday, said that Portugal does not have a maritime navigation strategy, but stresses that this area of ​​definition of designation and the allocation of resources is a “constant challenge”.

“Portugal does not have a maritime security strategy. It is a gap in our strategic thinking,” he said, in English, via videoconference, at the end of the second course on maritime security organized by Centro do Atlântico, which took place at the Lajes base, in Azores.

According to Helena Carreiras, “this is not defined as its characteristics and which do not have responsibilities in assigned areas of security, but which do not have responsibilities in assigned areas of security, but which are not defined quickly as a definition of security, change the definition quickly of a reserve and the constant challenge resource allocation”.

“Strategic thinking as an opportunity to take stock of what has been done, the challenges that must be met and resources to achieve the defined objectives”,

Questioned by e-mail, following National Defense statements, an official source from the Ministry of National Defense must be assured that the Strategic Concept said, whose review is ongoing, properly incorporated the maritime security dimension as a priority”.

“It must, therefore, always be in this process that maritime safety must be addressed by Portugal”, he added.

At the end of the maritime safety course, the minister stressed that Portugal has developed a national strategy for the sea, “focused on the scientific, economic and environmental dimensions of maritime activities” and that it is also working on maritime spatial planning, “to regulate the use of the sea”.

In addition, he recalled a “candidacy by Portugal to the United Nations for the expansion of the continental shelf” and as “long-standing relationships with other maritime nations, in many parts of the world, especially in Africa, where maritime security has been at the heart of regional cooperation exercises”.

On Navy Day, Helena Carreiras highlighted the role of the Portuguese Navy in rescue operations and regular presence in Guinea’s golf course, in the safety of activities carried out in that area.

“Portugal is equally protecting protection in its protection and protecting security in its protection and safety”, he said.

The minister highlighted the role of the Center of the Atlantic, an initiative by Portugal, in raising awareness of development for the “importance of maritime safety in economic and well-being activities” and the contributor that gives “response to challenges futures”.

“The Atlantic Center gives Portugal and the other participating countries the opportunity to address security challenges in a coordinated manner”, he stressed.

In addition to Portugal, the Atlantic Centre, made official in 2021, includes Germany, Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Colombia, Spain, United States of America, France, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Holland, Morocco, Nigeria, United Kingdom, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal and Uruguay.

With the theme “Maritime Security and Human Security”, the course, carried out for the second year at the base of Lajes, features the participation of 30 auditors from nine Atlantic countries and Portuguese and foreign speakers from institutions such as NATO, the United Nations, the European Union and international academic institutions.