Diplomatic SOCIETY sat down with the Portuguese Ambassador in Austria, H.E. Jorge Manuel Da Silva Lopes, to speak – amongst other things – about the most outstanding connecting lines between Portugal and Austria, how the rules of diplomacy have changed throughout the last years and his country’s engagement with the Lusophone world.
You came to Vienna in September last year; how did you experience the first months as Ambassador of Portugal to Austria? What are, in your opinion, the most interesting and strongest connecting lines between Austria and Portugal?
My first months in Vienna have been deeply enriching, offering a valuable opportunity to engage with a country that combines a rich historical and cultural heritage with a highly dynamic contemporary society.
My mandate as Ambassador also covers Slovenia as a non-resident Ambassador, and I serve as Portugal’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organizations headquartered in Vienna, allowing me to approach bilateral relations within a broader multilateral framework.
From the outset, engagement with Austria’s institutions, political authorities, business community, academic circles, and civil society has enabled a solid understanding of the country’s priorities and perspectives, while reinforcing the longstanding friendship between Austria and Portugal.
Portugal and Austria maintain close relations grounded in a shared commitment to the European project and its core values of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, supported by centuries of diplomatic engagement and rich cultural and political exchange. Historical ties, including links between former Royal families and sustained cooperation in arts and education, are complemented today by a dynamic Portuguese community in Austria that contributes significantly to economic, social, and cultural life.
Bilateral economic relations are broad and evolving, with tourism as a key pillar and growing opportunities in sustainable mobility, technology, renewable energy, and innovation-driven sectors. These areas offer strong potential for trade, investment, and joint initiatives, while expanding academic partnerships, research collaboration, and cultural programmes are deepening institutional links and strengthening people-to-people connections between both countries.
As an experienced diplomat, can you tell us how the rules of international diplomacy have changed throughout the last years?
International diplomacy has undergone profound transformation in recent years. This is particularly visible at the United Nations, undergoing a structural reform launched by the UN Secretary-General in March 2025 to mark the 80th anniversary of the UN.
While the fundamental principles of diplomacy – respect for sovereignty, dialogue, negotiation, and conflict prevention – should remain constant, the tools, pace, and scope of diplomatic engagement have evolved dramatically.
The rise of digital diplomacy, the immediacy of information flows, and the growing role of social media have increased both the visibility and the speed of diplomatic communications, requiring constant adaptation. In parallel, global crises, from health emergencies and economic shocks to climate change and security challenges, have highlighted even more the need for multilateral coordination, agility, and resilience.
Effective diplomacy today increasingly requires the integration of expertise across multiple domains, including technology, economic policy, public communication, and crisis management. In this evolving environment, success relies ever more on strategic foresight, adaptability, and the capacity to align national priorities with collective global interests.
Speaking about effective diplomacy: Diplomatic ties with the Lusophone world are of special importance for Portugal – how is your country strengthening partnerships amidst changing political environments?
Portugal maintains a profound and enduring commitment to the Lusophone world, grounded in historical ties but oriented toward future collaboration in economic, political, and cultural spheres. Strengthening these partnerships remains a key strategic priority, particularly at a time when global political environments are shifting and new challenges require adaptive cooperation.
Portugal achieves this through high level summits, bilateral agreements, participation in multilateral platforms such as the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), and the promotion of joint initiatives in education, scientific research, digital transformation, sustainable development, and innovation, as well as through multilateralism and the UN system. For instance, Portugal supports the United Nations Office in Drugs and Crime (UNODC) activities in Africa, through targeted contributions to UNODC’s Country office in Mozambique, and the Global Maritime Crime Programme, a global programme with a strong impact in the Gulf of Guinea.
By engaging actively with Lusophone partners, Portugal seeks to ensure that cooperation is inclusive, forward-looking, and capable of delivering tangible benefits for all communities involved, while simultaneously consolidating shared values and promoting global engagement rooted in trust and reciprocity.
The promotion of Portuguese language during my mandate lays high in my priorities too.
The other two main priorities of Portugal’s foreign policy are European integration and the transatlantic relations – how are you balancing these ties in regards to the current era of transition?
Portugal’s foreign policy is guided by complementary priorities, combining a strong commitment to European integration, active transatlantic engagement, and robust participation in multilateral institutions.
Within Europe, Portugal promotes, inter alia, cohesion, innovation-led growth, social inclusion, and resilience, while contributing to debates on strategic autonomy and global competitiveness.
At the same time, transatlantic partnerships remain central to cooperation on security, defence, trade, scientific collaboration, and climate action.
Multilateral engagement is also a core focus, including Portugal’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2027-2028 and active participation in NATO, reflecting a commitment to collective security, global governance, and the strengthening of international norms.
In a period of transition marked by rapid technological change, evolving security dynamics, energy challenges, and geopolitical shifts, Portugal seeks to play a bridging role through proactive diplomacy and long-term vision, aligning immediate challenges with strategic objectives and contributing constructively to European integration, transatlantic relations, and global multilateral governance.
In January this year, Portugal signed the Artemis Accords, in a commitment to advancing principles for the responsible exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond with NASA. Why is it important for your country to be part of these accords?
Portugal became the 60th signatory of the Artemis Accords on January 11 in Lisbon, reinforcing its commitment to the peaceful, transparent, and sustainable exploration of outer space.
As a NATO ally and close partner of the United States, Portugal’s participation extends existing cooperation into the space domain and enables collaboration with leading international partners in research, satellite technology, and space applications.
This engagement strengthens national technological capabilities, supports the growth of high-tech sectors, promotes scientific and engineering talent, and positions Portugal as an active contributor to the development of international norms for space exploration, aligning scientific ambition with strategic, economic, and educational goals.