Atlantic perspectives interviews report: perspectives from Portugal

The creation of a pan-Atlantic space, based on cooperation between the different regions of the Atlantic is fundamental for the future of the Atlantic basin, capable to deal with the emergence of new powers in the Asia-Pacific Rim and the threats that emerged with the end of the Cold War: terrorism, migration trends, illicit trafficking, fragile states, etc. The analysis of four specific areas – economy and finances, security, people and institutions, resources and environment – has shown the existence of different stages of development of the Atlantic basin countries, mainly between the North and the South, which must be overcome by cooperation in these same areas. For Portuguese stakeholders, the European Union, African Union and NATO have a fundamental role to play, but EU is mostly seen as a role model to be followed for the development of regional and interregional cooperation. The challenge is to overcome the lack of leadership of EU in the last 5 years and the traditional suspicion of the South Atlantic regarding to the North in order to deepen the relations between the shores of the Atlantic.