“Russia must stop hostilities and allow for a serious and sustainable dialogue directed towards a ceasefire and peace,” said Antonio Costa. “This is not the time for Russia to escalate conflict or make irresponsible threats to resort to nuclear weapons.”
Costa criticized the “unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine”, stressing that it consisted of “a flagrant violation of international law, in violation of the Charter of the United Nations” and reiterated “Portugal’s support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine”.
The Prime Minister also expressed Portugal’s solidarity with “all those who suffer, all over the world, and especially on the African continent, from the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine” and thus emphasized that “the necessary sanctions apply to Russia”. It cannot affect, directly or indirectly, the production, transportation and payment of grain or fertilizer.”
‘Peace Agenda Necessary’
Costa also advocated the need for a “representative, agile and pragmatic Security Council”, where “small states are represented more equitably, where the African continent is located and where there are at least two seats for Brazil and India.”
The Portuguese Prime Minister also stressed that “a global vision of security is essential, with the new agenda for peace, and the agenda focused on conflict prevention.”
Antonio Costa emphasized that “strengthening pluralism is not an option,” but an “absolute necessity to meet global challenges” and build “a more peaceful, sustainable, inclusive and prosperous future.”
At the end of his speech in Portuguese, he promised, “Today is the time to move from words to deeds: with more cooperation, solidarity and more multilateralism. And Portugal, as always, will not miss this call.”
During his speech, Costa defended that he also addressed the urgency of climate action, but with a comprehensive transition, without “leaving anyone behind.”
The Prime Minister stressed that there was “undeniable” the existence of a “link between climate and security”.
“Today, as we have never felt before, we are feeling the effects of climate change: heat waves or extreme cold, droughts, fires, floods and storms. Countries like Portugal, which are experiencing coastal erosion, increased droughts and the drama of wildfires, clearly have an urgent need for climate action.”
Costa said he hopes that the United Nations Climate Change Conference, in November this year, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, will lead to an “inclusive transition, ensuring a more balanced distribution of climate finance between mitigation and adaptation.”
He argued, “The transition to a prosperous future, a green and digital future, cannot leave anyone behind. Social policies must be at the heart of our work, the development of our economies, and the fight against climate change.”
w/ Lusa
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