Latest news with #PauloRangel
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spain and Portugal show little enthusiasm for defence spending hike
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul encountered little enthusiasm for increased defence spending during his visit to Spain and Portugal on Monday. Germany is seeking to shore up support for a massive hike in defence spending, with both Wadephul and Chancellor Friedrich Merz backing a proposal to increase defence-related spending by NATO members to 3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP), with an additional 1.5% for military infrastructure. Such an increase in spending would require a massive financial commitment by NATO countries. When asked by journalists after the meeting with Wadephul whether Spain was prepared to increase its defence budget to 5% of GDP in future, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares responded that Spain is making greater efforts in the defence sector than ever before. However, Albares described the existing NATO target of 2% of GDP as "realistic." Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel meanwhile said his country would "naturally" support a decision to increase the military budget, but admitted that the target of 2% had "not yet been fully" achieved. US President Donald Trump, signalling he is tired of European countries piggy-backing on Washington's massive defence budget, is pushing for defence spending to be raised to 5% of GDP. Spain is currently among the alliance's members spending least on defence, with military expenditure amounting to some 1.3% of GDP - well below the current target of at least 2%. While Portugal recently raised defence spending, expenditure in Europe's westernmost nation only stood at 1.6% of GDP in 2024.
Reuters
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Polish election frontrunner speaks Europe's language
SZCZECIN, Poland, May 16 (Reuters) - Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, the Oxford-educated son of a jazz musician and frontrunner in Sunday's Polish presidential election, made friends across the European Parliament when he worked there, including with Portugal's now-foreign minister. "He was very well known, not only because he was very talented," Paulo Rangel said during a break from campaigning for his own country's election, referring to their time together as EU lawmakers from 2009. "He really became very popular... because he was a very easy-going person but at the same time he could speak five languages," he added. Trzaskowski can communicate in English, French, Spanish, Russian and Italian. His supporters hope his friendships with high-ranking European policymakers like Rangel can further Poland's growing influence in Europe since Prime Minister Donald Tusk succeeded a eurosceptic nationalist in 2023. But it is also part of the reason some Poles going to vote in the first round of a presidential election on May 18 view him as part of a liberal metropolitan elite whose concerns are far removed from their own. Trzaskowski paints the vote as a choice between Western liberal values and the rising nationalism across central and eastern Europe, where eurosceptic parties have already won power or are poised to do so. "These elections are about whether we will be part of the West or part of the East," he told a rally in the northern port city of Szczecin. "Look where Slovakia is today, where Hungary is, what's happening in the Balkans. Look - this very same battle is happening in Romania... These parties are either pro-Russian or repeat Russian propaganda. They simply don't feel at home in Europe. Why? Because Europe is too positive for them." His rivals are fighting back. "He is so European he has forgotten he is Polish," said Marek Suski, a lawmaker from the nationalist opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party. PiS backs conservative historian and amateur boxer Karol Nawrocki to become president, a role with limited executive powers but the right to veto legislation, in the election, which is likely to go to a second round. Outgoing PiS President Andrzej Duda has used his power of veto to block many of Tusk's pro-European reforms. After studying in Oxford and Paris, Trzaskowski wrote a PhD thesis in Warsaw called "The dynamics of reforming the decision-making system of the European Union". He worked as an adviser and an elected member of the European Parliament before becoming Poland's Minister of Administration and Digitalisation and then Deputy Foreign Minister. As mayor of Warsaw since 2018, he has gained a reputation as a supporter of liberal causes such as LGBT rights. His critics say he is a deeply polarising figure in a country where many Poles, especially outside the big cities, hold socially conservative views, and they are scathing about his perceived rightward shift during the presidential campaign. His rivals also say his pro-European stance means he will put the interests of other countries above those of Poland. His supporters say he is trying to reach out to all sides of the political spectrum. "His goal is to reduce the polarisation we see in Poland," said Agnieszka Pomaska, a lawmaker from the ruling Civic Coalition (KO) and a member of Trzaskowski's campaign team. "He's definitely not someone who rejects ideas just because they come from another political camp." Rangel said Trzaskowski could cement Poland's place as a major player at the heart of European policymaking over the twin challenges of Russia's invasion of Poland's eastern neighbour Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Trzaskowski's international track record "will open a lot of doors," Rangel said.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Portuguese, Chinese foreign ministers to hold talks as Trump-EU trade tensions rise
By Eduardo Baptista BEIJING (Reuters) - Portugal's Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel and Chinese counterpart Wang Yi will hold talks in Beijing on Tuesday, as EU member states fret over the prospect of a trade war with both Washington and Beijing. This week's visit would be the first to China by a high-level Portuguese government official in over five years. The United States is the main destination for Portuguese exports outside of the EU, while Portugal is the only country in western Europe still signed on to Beijing's flagship overseas infrastructure plan, the Belt and Road Initiative. U.S. President Donald Trump has made numerous tariff threats since returning to office on January 20. Tensions with the EU in particular escalated this month as both sides threatened retaliatory counter tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said it would be the first strategic in-person dialogue at the foreign ministers' level, and that China was ready to support the development of bilateral relations, as well as China-EU relations. Last year, Portugal abstained from an EU vote to impose tariffs on Chinese-built electric vehicles, and has welcomed Chinese investments from the industry. China's CALB, one of the world's largest EV battery makers, said last month it would invest 2 billion euros ($2.17 billion) in a gigafactory in Portugal which is expected to start production in 2028. Ricardo Arroja, president of investment promotion agency AICEP, who will accompany Rangel, said Tuesday's meeting highlighted Portugal's role as a reliable partner for Chinese investment globally. Chinese foreign direct investment into Portugal reached a cumulative value of over 12 billion euros by the end of last year, according to AICEP, making it the Iberian nation's fourth-largest source of FDI. Despite strong investment ties, issues of contention between the two countries include a continued ban on Chinese equipment in Portugal's 5G network, which the new centre-right government has upheld. ($1 = 0.9221 euros)
Reuters
24-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Portuguese, Chinese foreign ministers to hold talks as Trump-EU trade tensions rise
BEIJING, March 24 (Reuters) - Portugal's Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel and Chinese counterpart Wang Yi will hold talks in Beijing on Tuesday, as EU member states fret over the prospect of a trade war with both Washington and Beijing. This week's visit would be the first to China by a high-level Portuguese government official in over five years. The United States is the main destination for Portuguese exports outside of the EU, while Portugal is the only country in western Europe still signed on to Beijing's flagship overseas infrastructure plan, the Belt and Road Initiative. U.S. President Donald Trump has made numerous tariff threats since returning to office on January 20. Tensions with the EU in particular escalated this month as both sides threatened retaliatory counter tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said it would be the first strategic in-person dialogue at the foreign ministers' level, and that China was ready to support the development of bilateral relations, as well as China-EU relations. Last year, Portugal abstained from an EU vote to impose tariffs on Chinese-built electric vehicles, and has welcomed Chinese investments from the industry. China's CALB, one of the world's largest EV battery makers, said last month it would invest 2 billion euros ($2.17 billion) in a gigafactory in Portugal which is expected to start production in 2028. Ricardo Arroja, president of investment promotion agency AICEP, who will accompany Rangel, said Tuesday's meeting highlighted Portugal's role as a reliable partner for Chinese investment globally. Chinese foreign direct investment into Portugal reached a cumulative value of over 12 billion euros by the end of last year, according to AICEP, making it the Iberian nation's fourth-largest source of FDI. Despite strong investment ties, issues of contention between the two countries include a continued ban on Chinese equipment in Portugal's 5G network, which the new centre-right government has upheld. ($1 = 0.9221 euros)
Arab News
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Lebanon rejects further Israeli delay in withdrawing forces from southern areas
BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Wednesday called on Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel to 'ensure the EU countries pressure Israel to complete its withdrawal from the southern border area within the set deadline of the 18th of this month.' Aoun said that 'Lebanon supports the Arab Peace Initiative and rejects any proposals that would lead to any form of Palestinian displacement from their land or undermine their legitimate rights as enshrined in United Nations resolutions.' Six days before the full withdrawal of Israeli forces that had advanced into southern Lebanon — following a 24-day extension of the withdrawal deadline, with US approval — the committee overseeing the monitoring of the ceasefire and the implementation of Resolution 1701 was informed that the Israeli army is asking to remain in some border areas until Feb. 28. Lebanon however, has informed the committee of its firm rejection of this request. Morgan Ortagus, US deputy ambassador for the Middle East, is expected to return to Beirut on a second visit as part of her current mission to follow up on the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon on Feb. 18. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a recent meeting at the White House asked US President Donald Trump to delay the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Lebanon for a few weeks. Additionally, he sought to maintain Israeli control over five key hills: Jabal Blat, Labouneh, Aziziyah, Awida, and Hamames. Lebanon's efforts to ensure Israel's complete withdrawal from its territory by the specified deadline are accompanied by a proposal for UNIFIL forces to be stationed in coordination with the Lebanese army to take control of the said hills. Maj. Gen. Hassan Ouda, acting chief of Lebanon's army, met Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lazaro, commander of UNIFIL, and their 'discussions focused on the efforts being made to implement Resolution 1701,' according to an army statement. The authorities in Lebanon are awaiting the Trump administration to fulfill its commitment regarding the scheduled withdrawal of Israeli forces. Last week, Ortagus said in a statement from Beirut that her country 'is dedicated to ensuring that Israel completes its withdrawal on the specified timeline.' Meanwhile, Avichay Adraee, spokesperson for the Israeli military, issued an urgent warning on social media to the residents of southern Lebanon. 'The Israeli army remains deployed in the field following the extension of the agreement's implementation period. Therefore, you are prohibited from moving south or returning to your homes in the areas in question until further notice. Anyone attempting to move south is at risk,' he posted. On Wednesday, Israeli forces continued bombing border villages in the eastern and central Gaza Strip and set houses ablaze. Additionally, Israeli forces carried out bulldozing operations on the outskirts of the town of Al-Dahira and used cranes to install concrete slabs at the technical fence of the Blue Line. Also on Wednesday, a young man, identified as Khalil Fayyad, succumbed to gunshot wounds inflicted by Israeli forces on Jan. 26 in his hometown of Aitaroun during residents' attempts to return to the town.
