In statements to journalists upon arrival between the leaders of the European Union (EU) and their counterparts from the Western Balkans, in the coastal city of Tivat, Montenegro, the Prime Minister stressed that Europeans and countries in the region are following a "path of peace and development," drawing a parallel with Portugal's election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

"That is the mark we want to bring to the United Nations Security Council, whose election I want to congratulate once again, from the point of view of the involvement of all sovereign bodies and our diplomacy," he said.

Recognition of the country

Luís Montenegro considered that Portugal's election to the UN Security Council for a two-year term is a recognition of the country's role "as an actor on the international stage, as a promoter of conflict resolution, the promotion of human dignity and economic development."

"These are the fundamental pillars that we will carry forward from January 2027 – we will assume the presidency of the Security Council at that time – so that we can reflect them in all our areas of intervention and also in the EU," he stated.

Congratulating the Portuguese

The Prime Minister stressed that "the Portuguese people deserve congratulations and should be very much in tune with this recognition," considering that "perhaps in Portugal the election to the Security Council is not being given its due value."

“Perhaps it would be valued more if we hadn’t won the election, and in the first round, being the most voted country, but, regardless of that, what seems important to me is that a nation with almost nine centuries of history continues to be a nation that brings people together, promotes well-being, and the recognition of human rights,” he stressed.

Participation in major world issues

Montenegro added that Portugal “promotes and cultivates a great participation in the major issues that the world faces today, whether it be environmental sustainability,” through the use of natural resources and national maritime space, or “conflict resolution.”

“And the United Nations needs this boost in value to be able to renew itself, to regenerate itself for a new cycle that can be more efficient and consequential than it has been up to this point,” he emphasised.

Portugal's election

Portugal was elected on 4 June as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, leading the vote in the Western Europe and Other States group with 134 votes, alongside Austria, while Germany suffered an unprecedented defeat.

With this result, Portugal surpassed the 127 votes needed for an election, corresponding to two-thirds of the voters.

The mandate of Portugal and the other elected member states begins on 1 January 2027, and extends for two years.

Portugal, which ran under the slogan "Prevention, Partnership, Protection," has already served on the Security Council during the 1979-1980, 1997-1998, and 2011-2012 terms. Portugal has been elected every time it has run.

The Security Council is composed of 15 members, five of whom are permanent members with veto power – the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France. The remaining 10 non-permanent members serve two-year terms, with five elected annually according to geographical distribution.