Government approves measures to assist Ukraine

The Council of Ministers approved a series of decisions under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to assist Ukraine. The measures were put forward by the Ministers of State and Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, and of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro at the end of the first Council of Ministers to be held at Palácio das Necessidades in Lisbon in 114 years. 

Paulo Rangel noted the "approval of the new Diplomatic Career Statute, which had been untouched for 26 years", and which the diplomats had long been anticipating. The Statute "offers two important novelties: it brings the career closer to the evaluation, progression through merit and transparency standards being reformed in Public Administration and the Public Office Labour Law".

The "integration of the European External Action Service in our diplomatic career" was also approved. "Diplomats who work in the EU are integrated in the domestic diplomatic career and that post counts towards their career", he said.

"The diplomats’ family statute with regard to spouse and children" was amended "to increase career appeal, because travelling to work in foreign postings has a huge impact on family life".

Travelling Ambassadors

"The travelling Ambassador was set up for countries where we do not have an Embassy or resident Ambassador. We shall have a travelling Ambassador in Lisbon who is charged with two or three countries and will hold the same powers as an Ambassador residing in the capital city". 

The Minister claimed this "is an experience other countries have carried out successfully, allowing us to rationalise resources in places where we do not have the conditions to open an Embassy, but where we want to have an effective and active presence".

Assistance to Ukraine

The Minister recalled that "the Prime Minister announced that Portugal will join "Grain for Ukraine", which enables Ukraine to continue to export grains to the entire world and namely the African continent, despite the war. Portugal will contribute two million euros to the initiative that is fundamental to fight hunger and malnutrition, a subject discussed at the G20 meeting".

The Government also approved the "Resolution to execute the final part of Defence expenditure with Ukraine. The annual commitment undertaken by Portugal at NATO is 220 million euros of defence assistance. The execution of 86 million euros was still to be completed". 

Paulo Rangel noted "the 51 million euros for the UK initiative, just as the Prime Minister announced at the European Political Community,  which will also lever the Portuguese defence industry".

It also approved "the prolonging of the temporary diplomatic protection given to the 54 thousand Ukrainians in Portugal up to three years following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine". And the Government will "draft the law that will enable extensions for these citizens to have their lives while refugees in Portugal".  

The Minister likewise announced "the role of commissioner was created to commemorate the 40 years of Portugal in the European Community, the now European Union, for which former MEP Carlos Coelho was assigned. The assignment will be unpaid".

Essential expenses approved

The Minister of the Presidency Leitão Amaro announced that the Council of Ministers approved the authorisation of several essential expenses, namely:

"136 million euros for the aerial wildfire-fighting resources, which refers to a large part of the aerial means. This decision speeds up procurement of these aerial means for [the next] three years".

"The bill that sets the agreement to update wages for nurses, bargained with the trade unions, which represents expenditure of 230 million euros in 2027, once the impact of these amendments is stabilised", which represents wage increases for nurses of at least 300 euros until January 2027.

"30 million euros to collect dead animals in 2025 and 2026, to overcome the additional strain on the system with blue tongue disease, on which other measures have been taken, such as buying vaccines".