August
28,
2003
Ambassador
John N. Palmer
Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to
Portugal
After a brief overview of the workings of his Embassy in Lisbon, Ambassador Palmer briefed the Executive Lecture Forum members about the U.S.-Portugal bilateral relationship. He spoke at great length about his special relationship with Portugal's Prime Minister José Durao Barroso. The Ambassador stressed the enduring value of transatlantic ties, and he underlined the positive role Portugal is playing in maintaining and strengthening the cooperation between the United States and Europe. "In addition to our bilateral strategic relations," said Ambassador Palmer, "Portugal has maintained a strong defense role for the European Union and NATO."
The Ambassador closed his very well-received lecture by emphasizing that Portugal is today the leading edge of a new Europe, which is a strong partner of the United States. Indeed, he said, Portugal is moving ahead in ways that make sense–for Portugal, for Europe, and for the United States.
