In a statement issued earlier this week following the meeting, Portugal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the two governments would meet again to discuss Lajes "shortly" in Washington, and would also be stepping up bilateral consultations on proposals relating to employment, infrastructure and compensation for the Azores.


The US announced last month that it intended this year to slash its military and civilian workforce at the base to 165 from 650, and local employees to 400 from 900. The news raised fears of a devastating impact on the local economy, in what is one of Portugal's poorest regions.


Wednesday saw the first meeting of the permanent bilateral commission between the US and Portugal in two years, and the first since the announcement. As well as the US and Portuguese governments, the Azores regional government and the local council of Praia da Vitória were also represented, for the first time ever.


"We believe that the next step will be the most important and so what we expect is that Portugal maintains its united position, with one voice, and that it is firm and does no vacillate in relation to what is most important for the region and for the workers at this moment," Bruno Nogueira told Lusa.


Portugal's foreign minister had said before the US announcement that a negative outcome could hurt relations between the two countries, which are both founder members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.