[PT] Message to France

[Bruno]

SECRET & CLASSIFIED

To:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of France Dutchy
From: Luís Amado, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Portuguese Republic
Subject: Confirmation of Defence Licensing Agreement and Final Payment Tranche

---

Your Excellencies,

On behalf of the Government of the Portuguese Republic, I extend my sincere congratulations on the restoration of constitutional governance in France. We trust that this moment marks a renewed chapter of stability and cooperation for the French Republic and its partners across Europe.

In light of recent developments, I am writing to reaffirm Portugal’s ongoing commitment to the defence licensing agreement established between our two nations prior to the institutional interruption in your administration. Under this agreement, Portugal secured a 15-year exclusive access license to French-designed military equipment and associated technologies, covering both land and naval systems, including but not limited to the Rafale airframes, Mistral-class amphibious ships, and other strategic systems that remain vital to our national defence posture.

To date, Portugal has already transferred most of the amount under this framework as agreed, fulfilling the initial licensing fees stipulated in our mutual accord. The remaining €5 billion, representing the final tranche of our 15-year access agreement, is earmarked and ready for disbursement upon formal confirmation and continuity of the original licensing terms by your Ministry.

Given the strategic depth of our previous great relationship and alliance alongside the investments already made by Portugal in integration, training, and maintenance infrastructure for French platforms, we strongly encourage your administration to honour the standing agreement. Its continuity is essential not only to the operational readiness of our Armed Forces but also to the broader security and defence collaboration we envision between Lisbon and Paris.

We are available to dispatch a senior technical and diplomatic delegation to Paris at your earliest convenience to reconfirm all documentation, discuss any necessary adjustments, and reaffirm our mutual defence interests moving forward.

Let me once again express Portugal’s solidarity with the people of France, and our enduring belief in the Franco-Portuguese partnership as a cornerstone of stability and strategic autonomy in Europe.

Please accept, Excellencies, the assurances of my highest consideration.

---

Luís Amado
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Portuguese Republic
Palácio das Necessidades, Lisbon

 

[Dutchy]

MINISTÈRE DES AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES
CABINET DE MINISTRE​

PRIVATE

Luís Amado
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Portuguese Republic

Paris, March 2007​

Your Excellency,

On behalf of the President and the Prime Minister, I wish to extend our heartfelt thanks for your kind words. We take great pride in France’s return to its rightful standing as a republic of the people, by the people - a beacon of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

I have had the referenced agreement retrieved from the archives, and it appears that a number of discrepancies will require discussion. In particular, that the terms state a 10-year period; rather than the 15-year period you mentioned.

As this government is committed to reaffirming the enduring bonds between the French and Portuguese Republics. In that spirit, I have the honor to extend to you a cordial invitation to Paris. I hope to not only to review the terms of the licensing agreement, but also to explore broader avenues of mutually beneficial cooperation.

I hope you will be able to meet with me at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely,

Thierry Chevrolet
Minister of Foreign Affairs​

Digital Diplomatic Correspondence​

Bruno

 

[Bruno]

To: Thierry Chevrolet Minister of Foreign Affairs Dutchy
From: Luís Amado Minister of Foreign Affairs

Your Excellency,

I wish to thank you most sincerely for your gracious letter, and for the spirit of fraternity and cooperation with which it was written.

Allow me to clarify that the reference to a 15-year period in my previous correspondence was the result of a clerical error on our side. Indeed, we fully acknowledge that the original agreement establishes a 10-year term. I regret any confusion this may have caused.

In order to advance our dialogue in the most constructive manner, the Government of the Portuguese Republic has decided that the Minister of National Defence will personally travel to Paris to meet with you. This will allow us not only to address the licensing agreement in detail, but also to deepen the wider strategic partnership that unites Portugal and France. We remain convinced that our nations, bound by history and common values, stand to gain greatly from closer cooperation in the years ahead. We would also like to formally re-establish our precious alliance, made during the previous administration.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Luís Amado
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Portuguese Republic

SECRET & CLASSIFED

 

[Dutchy]

MINISTÈRE DES AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES
CABINET DE MINISTRE​

PRIVATE

Luís Amado
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Portuguese Republic

Paris, March 2007​

Your Excellency,

I wish to extend my sincere appreciation for your gracious reply affirming our mutual intnntion to re-kindle the bonds between our nations.

The correction regarding the duration of the agreement is duly noted, and I thank you for addressing the matter with candor.

It is with genuine pleasure that I welcome the decision of the Minister of National Defence to travel to Paris. I kindly request that your embassy coordinate the travel arrangements with my office, so that we can ensure that the Minister’s arrival proceeds seamlessly.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Thierry Chevrolet
Minister of Foreign Affairs​

Digital Diplomatic Correspondence​

---

The meeting between the French Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Portuguese Minister of National Defence was swiftly entered into the official calendar. In coordination with the Ministry of the Armed Forces, it was decided that the Delegate General of the General Directorate of Armaments, Henri Ruben, would attend in order to represent the ministry’s position on the matter of the licensing agreement.

The arrival of the Portuguese Minister was carefully overseen by the Protocol Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Upon landing at Charles de Gaulle Airport, the delegation was met by a senior protocol officer who facilitated their expedited passage through customs and immigration. From there, the Minister and his delegation were escorted to a waiting convoy of vehicles, which transported them directly to the Quai d’Orsay. A conference room had been prepared, the Portuguese flag displayed on one side of the room, and the French tricolour opposite.

As the delegation is escorted into the room, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thierry Chevrolet, stepped forward with a warm smile to greet the Minister of National Defence. After exchanging courtesies, he introduced Henri Ruben as the Delegate General of the General Directorate of Armaments. Having completed the introductions, Chevrolet invited the Portuguese delegation to take their seats at the table before sitting down himself.

Bruno

 

[Bruno]

Your Excellency,

Portugal deeply values the opportunity to renew and strengthen our bonds with France, and it is with equal pleasure that I confirm the commitment of the Portuguese Government to this shared endeavor. I am delighted that our Minister of National Defence, Augusto Santos Silva, will soon travel to Paris to meet with your esteemed colleagues. Our Embassy will coordinate with your office to ensure all arrangements are in order for his arrival.

Yours sincerely,

Luís Amado
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Portuguese Republic

SECRET & CLASSIFED

---

The Portuguese Minister of National Defence Augusto Santos Silva, touched down at Charles de Gaulle Airport his delegation consisted of senior officials from the Ministry of National Defence, two senior officers from the Portuguese Navy and Air Force, and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After these formalities, both sides moved into the conference room. A polished oak table was set with folders, documents, and refreshments. The Portuguese flag stood opposite the French tricolour, symbolizing the renewal of dialogue. As the delegations took their seats, the atmosphere in the room was one of cautious optimism.

“Portugal wishes to reaffirm its strategic partnership with France. Our interests in defence cooperation remain strong, and we are determined to resolve the licensing question with mutual respect and transparency.”