U.S. and Portugal Hold 53rd Standing Bilateral Commission: Inaugural CEO Forum Set for November 10 in Lisbon
The U.S. Department of State on November 3 released a joint statement by the Governments of the United States and the Republic of Portugal on the occasion of the 53rd meeting of the U.S.-Portugal Standing Bilateral Commission (SBC), where the dialogue focused on defense and security cooperation, cooperation in the Azores, and economic security.
On defense, the delegations reaffirmed NATO's central role in Euro-Atlantic security and their shared commitment to allied defense investment in line with commitments made at the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague. Both sides welcomed the continued expansion of cooperation between their armed forces and highlighted the ongoing implementation of the State Partnership Program between Portugal and the Illinois National Guard, including activities already underway and further engagements planned to strengthen interoperability, readiness, and the exchange of expertise.
On the Azores and Lajes, both sides praised the growing U.S. engagement with the Autonomous Region of the Azores, committed to expanding economic opportunity and people-to-people ties benefiting Azorean communities, and acknowledged the U.S. Air Force's efforts in environmental remediation.
On economic ties, the two governments confirmed the inaugural CEO Forum Plenary Meeting will be held on November 10, 2026, in Lisbon, building on the 52nd SBC meeting commitments and the October 8 meeting between Secretary Marco Rubio and Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel in Lisbon, aiming to identify new opportunities for trade and investment while facilitating job creation and promoting economic growth and security. The United States congratulated Portugal on its election to the UN Security Council for the 2027-2028 term, and both delegations agreed to cooperate within the Council. The 54th SBC will meet in Lisbon in 2027.
(Source: U.S. Department of State)
Source: U.S. Department of State
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：美国国务院总部大楼。美国国务院官方照片，公共领域。 / Photo: U.S. Department of State headquarters. Photo by the U.S. Department of State, public domain.
