Defence Minister Nuno Melo highlighted the “largest single investment” in the Armed Forces during the December 1 ceremonies today, the last to be held by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who was later subjected to words of displeasure from a group of ‘nationalists’, says Lusa.
Nuno Melo was referring to Portugal’s formal application to the European SAFE defence loan programme, worth €5.8 billion, approved on Friday by the Council of Ministers.
“This is the largest single investment in the Armed Forces, providing them with equipment that is absolutely necessary for carrying out missions both inside and outside Portugal,” said Melo who represented the Prime Minister at the commemorative ceremonies for the Restoration of Portugal’s Independence in Restauradores Square (Lisbon) today.
Nuno Melo deferred further details regarding the equipment Portugal will be purchasing under this European programme for the coming decade – as well as the interest to be paid – stating only that it involves “ships, armoured vehicles, satellites, ammunition and drones.
“These will be investments in all areas: land, sea, air and space (…) Everything that is absolutely necessary in the Armed Forces, which has a large part of its equipment that is already very outdated, at the end of its life cycle, and this effort is crucial,” he said.
President Marcelo, who, as is customary, did not give a speech at the ceremony, went at the end to one of the sides of Restauradores Square to greet members of an association of friends of Olivença.
However, nearby were other members of the public (about a dozen) with a banner that read “Portuguese first“. These took advantage of the proximity to the head of state to express ‘some displeasure’, says Lusa.
“I am very happy that your term as president is ending and you are leaving the country,” said one, with another confronting him with the case of alleged favoritism towards twin girls from Brazil.
The unpleasantness “lasted only a few moments before the head of state got into the car”, Lusa adds.
