The Prime Minister of Portugal, António Costa (Socialist Party), said that Ukrainian citizens with family or friends residing in Portuguese territory will also be welcome to the country.
The statements were made this Thursday morning (24), at the official residence at Palácio de São Bento, in a speech broadcast live across the country.
“I would like to give a word of confidence to the Ukrainian community that resides in Portugal and tell them that they will have our full solidarity. acquaintances who understand that they must seek safety and destiny in Portugal to continue their lives, are also very welcome”, he said.
António Costa revealed that Portuguese embassies in Ukraine and neighboring countries have already received guidelines “to expedite the issuance of visas for those who intend to come to Portugal”.
The prime minister highlighted that the reception of refugees, as on other occasions, is a joint responsibility of the 27 member countries of the European Union, which is a challenge that “implies the participation of all”.
After expressing the vehement condemnation of Russia’s military offensive on Ukrainian territory, António Costa spoke about a possible participation of Portuguese military in deterrence actions.
A member of NATO (western military alliance) since its foundation in 1949, Portugal this year integrates the entity’s so-called rapid intervention force: a joint international unit that stands ready to react quickly in the event of a crisis.
“It should be clear that NATO will not intervene or act in Ukraine. The position that NATO will have, and in which the Portuguese forces must be committed, are deterrence missions, in particular with the NATO countries that border Ukraine” , he explained.
