On the commercial front, France is a key economic partner, ranking as the 3rd largest client and supplier of goods to Portugal in 2024. France is also the top foreign employer in the country. Defense cooperation is also a dynamic aspect of our bilateral relationship (signing of a letter of intent in the field of armaments on February 28, 2025).
The Friendship and Cooperation Treaty signed on February 28, 2025 marks a new milestone in the bilateral relationship. It strengthens the common horizon that binds the two countries as neighbors, friends, European partners, and allies on the international stage, as well as cooperation in various multilateral forums. France and Portugal reaffirm their joint commitment to defend the European project and advance European strategic autonomy, as well as promote multilateralism, an international order based on rules, and the preservation of common goods.
Covering all areas of cooperation, this treaty aims to enhance the partnership between the two countries in various fields: cooperation within the European Union; foreign policy, security, and defense; economy, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; energy, transport, environment and sustainable development; education, higher education, science, research, and innovation; culture and sports; work, employment, and vocational training; justice and internal affairs.
For each of these areas, the treaty recalls common European and international objectives, details the projects and initiatives that France and Portugal commit to pursue on a bilateral basis, and strengthens or establishes monitoring and consultation frameworks for its implementation. It aims to deepen and further structure our bilateral relationship and its multiple cooperations, in order to strengthen our joint action on the European and international stages.
Its implementation will be facilitated by the institutionalization and strengthening of several exchange formats, including the bilateral High-Level Meeting (RHN) at regular intervals, chaired by the President of the French Republic and the Prime Minister of the Portuguese Republic.
