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Portugal

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Portugal

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The exercise of diplomacy by the authorities of the sovereign state of Portugal extends as far back as 1139.

Notable recent successes include the independence of East-Timor as well as several fruitful Presidencies of the European Union.

Historically the focus of Portuguese diplomacy has been to preserve its independence (vis-à-vis the danger of annexation from Spain) and maintenance of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance that first came into being in 1294.

Other goals have also been constant such as the political stability of the Iberian peninsula and the afirmation of Portuguese interests in Europe and the Atlantic (also in the Indian and Pacific oceans throughout different moments in history).

Portuguese links to France have also remained very strong and this country is considered one of Portugal's main political partners.

Recently the primacy of the USA and inter-governmental organisations such as NATO and the UN have also been paramount in the affirmation of Portugal abroad.

Portugal has been a significant beneficiary of the European Union and is a proponent of European integration. Portugal held the presidency of the European Union for the second time during the first half of 2000. Portugal used its term to launch a dialogue between the EU and Africa and to begin to take steps to make the European economy dynamic and competitive. In 2002, the Euro began to circulate as Portugal's currency.

Portugal was a founding member of NATO; it is an active member of the alliance by, for example, contributing proportionally large contingents in Balkans peacekeeping forces. Portugal proposed the creation of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) to improve its ties with other Portuguese-speaking countries. Additionally, Portugal has participated, along with Spain, in a series of Ibero-American summits. Portugal was a strong advocate of independence for East Timor, a former Portuguese overseas province, and has committed troops and money to East Timor, in close cooperation with the United States, Asian allies, and the United Nations.

Portugal held the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for the year 2002. The chairman-in-office was Portuguese Foreign Minister Antonio Martins da Cruz.

Illicit drugs: important gateway country for Latin American cocaine entering the European market; transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin

See also:

• Portugal
• Portuguese diplomatic missions