During his official three-day visit to the United States, Luis Montenegro arrived in New York to participate in the 81st General Assembly of the United Nations (UN). He began his program with a meeting lasting about half an hour with the organization's Secretary-General, Portuguese António Guterres.
At the end of the event, journalists asked him about Portugal's political stance towards the US administration. Montenegro replied that, besides analyzing and participating in controversial debates, Portugal strives to achieve positive outcomes, such as the security agreement signed between the US, Denmark, and Greenland.
When asked who he meant by saying last week that the approach to the Middle East conflict used by the US and Iran 'was a foolish path,' Montenegro clarified that it was 'a general criticism of everyone who is unable to overcome this obstacle to global development.'
In response to whether this criticism includes the head of state of the US, Montenegro answered affirmatively. He stated that the criticism applies to everyone because 'it is absurd, we are all suffering, we are all being punished, and we are all contributing to making the social and economic atmosphere around the world heavier, causing difficulties for people, companies, as well as institutions and organizations.'
The Prime Minister called for a sense of collective responsibility that 'encompasses everyone and leaves no one behind.' He emphasized: 'There are no exceptions here; everyone is called upon, and parties that can intervene can contribute. My wish is that all current initiatives to restore the memorandum of understanding that can serve the interests of the conflicting parties be utilized,' mentioning both the Middle East conflict and the war in Ukraine.