I would like to point out to everyone underestimating Portugal’s influence in world politics that, while I agree it hasn’t been a military or economic major power in centuries, it has great diplomatic outreach:
Part of the EU and has been used as an example of how to handle drug abuse
Part of CPLP which seeks to align the interests of all Portuguese speaking countries (in Europe, South America, West and East Africa and Oceania)
Vast naval territory in the Atlantic and the Azores which have hosted a US military base for decades
Good relations with China especially after the return of Macau
The current secretary general of the UN is an old portuguese Prime Minister
So while no longer a major country, it still has sway on how relations between some countries develop
Also the Anglo-Portuguese treaty of 1373. Still in effect today. This isn’t a nothing treaty, according to Wikipedia it was activated during the Falklands war. Though Great Britain may not be the power they once were, they still have sway with a lot of the world. I don’t really know where I’m going with this other than to say Portugal has friends.
Yes, but in our history we have had more interests in common with the British than different ones, especially as far as mainland Portugal is concerned.
They couldn’t care less about Portugal or the Portuguese and in general they see the Portuguese as just another bunch of Southern Europeans and their view of Southern Europeans is highly prejudiced in a negative way.
We’re a puny little shitty shit country from their point of view, an impression reinforced by Portuguese Politicians bending over backwards and licking the arses of the British elites.
Like Britain is the “poodle” to America so is Portugal to Britain only even worse.
There’s still a lot of dumb provincialism in Portugal when it comes to foreigners, especially amongst Portuguese Politicians and especially towards larger European nations such as Britain.
(Mind you, this outburst of Marcelo is pretty healthy in that sense and gives me hope that maybe that’s changing, and I don’t even like the guy).
The real specific qualities of Portugal have nothing to do with those delusions that past or present great powers are “friends” of Portugal.
True, oldest treaty in the world yadda-yadda, don’t hold your breath if you think Starmer would give two shits about Portugal if it advances his own fascist agenda.
The British citizens do have good relations with Portugal, just ask anyone in the Algarve.
To be honest I doubt Montenegro would care about the British either.
He was furious with Marcelo because he wanted to go unnoticed (he doesn’t really have a defined international policy) and soon started receiving calls from the White House.
I would like to point out to everyone underestimating Portugal’s influence in world politics that, while I agree it hasn’t been a military or economic major power in centuries, it has great diplomatic outreach:
So while no longer a major country, it still has sway on how relations between some countries develop
Also the Anglo-Portuguese treaty of 1373. Still in effect today. This isn’t a nothing treaty, according to Wikipedia it was activated during the Falklands war. Though Great Britain may not be the power they once were, they still have sway with a lot of the world. I don’t really know where I’m going with this other than to say Portugal has friends.
Countries have no friends/allies, they have interests.
Yes, but in our history we have had more interests in common with the British than different ones, especially as far as mainland Portugal is concerned.
I’ve lived in Britain for a decade.
They couldn’t care less about Portugal or the Portuguese and in general they see the Portuguese as just another bunch of Southern Europeans and their view of Southern Europeans is highly prejudiced in a negative way.
We’re a puny little shitty shit country from their point of view, an impression reinforced by Portuguese Politicians bending over backwards and licking the arses of the British elites.
Like Britain is the “poodle” to America so is Portugal to Britain only even worse.
There’s still a lot of dumb provincialism in Portugal when it comes to foreigners, especially amongst Portuguese Politicians and especially towards larger European nations such as Britain.
(Mind you, this outburst of Marcelo is pretty healthy in that sense and gives me hope that maybe that’s changing, and I don’t even like the guy).
The real specific qualities of Portugal have nothing to do with those delusions that past or present great powers are “friends” of Portugal.
True, oldest treaty in the world yadda-yadda, don’t hold your breath if you think Starmer would give two shits about Portugal if it advances his own fascist agenda.
The British citizens do have good relations with Portugal, just ask anyone in the Algarve.
To be honest I doubt Montenegro would care about the British either.
He was furious with Marcelo because he wanted to go unnoticed (he doesn’t really have a defined international policy) and soon started receiving calls from the White House.