This Saturday, the Defense Secretary stressed that the reforms introduced represent a “fundamental step towards training the armed forces” in the face of an “increasingly demanding” scenario, but defended the implementation “without hesitation” for “concrete and long-term results.”
Elena Carreiras performed on the island of San Jorge at a military ceremony dedicated to the Day of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.
According to the Minister of National Defence, the reform of the high command of the Armed Forces, initiated in the previous legislature, was “crucial for the future” of the Armed Forces, as well as the new United Nations Organic Bases Act. Armed Forces (LOBOFA).
Also important were the changes to the National Defense Law, which came into force in 2021, aimed at “strengthening the command and administrative capacity of the armed forces within a joint and integrated operational logic, minimizing duplication and establishing defined lines of command. ” added.
“These changes represent a fundamental step towards empowering the Armed Forces in the face of an increasingly complex and complex environment, namely in vital operational areas such as cyber defense, space or military support for civil emergencies. New EMGFA Regulations [Estado-Maior-General das Forças Armadas] and the affiliates that are currently in the legislative process will formally complete this process,” he said.
But “only with decisive implementation without hesitation” “the potential that these new laws contain can translate into concrete and long-term benefits for national defense and Portugal,” Helena Carreiras defended.
The Minister of National Defense also referred to the reform of military health care, which “requires the optimization of existing structures, promoting their complementarity and harmonization”, “to avoid the dispersion of material and human resources” and the provision of “structures and services for more efficient and timely medical care” for beneficiaries and users .
Helena Carreiras also believed that the central role of the EMGFA “consistently includes recognizing the increasing potential of research and development” and “fortifying the affinity” between the community and the military.
“To this end, the government, as always, relies on the advice of the Chief of the General Staff of the armed forces,” he said, highlighting the work done by Admiral Silva Ribeiro, who served as CEMGFA. since 2018, the “engagement and professionalism” of military and civilians serving in the EMGFA and those who are “abroad”.
Helena Carreiras emphasized that “the country has confidence in its Armed Forces”, which stems from “the ability to consistently and effectively respond to new security challenges”, in the “growing articulation” between the branches of the Armed Forces and the central services of the Armed Forces. Ministry.
Elena Carreiras underlined “the efforts made to preserve the memory of ex-combatants, in particular those who died in the service of Portugal, at home and abroad, in partnership with the League of Combatants and the General Directorate of National Defense Resources. thus helping future generations to know and honor the important legacy of our military history.”
In her speech, the minister emphasized the “gradual and consistent build-up of the deployed national forces, which attaches great importance to the prestige of Portugal”, in which “775 soldiers are involved in 17 missions on four continents under the auspices of the UN, NATO, EU and in the bilateral sphere.”
“This week in Prague, at an informal meeting of European Union defense ministers, I also had the opportunity to express Portugal’s support for a future EU military assistance mission to Ukraine,” he said.
“Continuing a consistent and extremely successful record of commanding international missions, today we have Portuguese officers commanding the Atalanta mission in the Indian Ocean and the EU training mission in Mozambique. Very soon, another officer will take over the command of the European Union training mission in the Central African Republic,” he added.
The Minister emphasized the “daily contribution” of the Armed Forces in support of the autonomous regions, in search and rescue operations, emergency medical evacuation or organ transport.
On the day she began her first official visit to the Azores, the Minister of National Defense confirmed “close cooperation with regional legislative and executive bodies” and the expansion of “partnerships”.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
