Montenegro says Lajes Base use met legal rules
Azores GuideLuís Montenegro said he was convinced Base das Lajes was used in line with legal rules as prosecutors assess its use in the conflict with Iran.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro said the United States' use of Base das Lajes complied with all legal rules during a preparatory debate for next week's European Council. He was responding to PCP deputy Paula Santos, who questioned him about his Thursday meeting in Lisbon with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The Public Prosecutor's Office opened an inquiry last Friday to assess the legality of the United States' use of the base in the conflict with Iran, following a complaint by Bloco de Esquerda. The party considers the use of the base a "gross violation of international law."
Santos accused Portugal of complicity in the United States and Israel's attack on Iran by allowing the use of Base das Lajes in the Azores. Montenegro said everyone could make political judgments about the decisions except the judiciary, which he said should not make political judgments.
Montenegro said he was very calm about compliance with all legal rules governing the agreement on use of the base. He said the government had carefully monitored compliance with and safeguarding of those rules. While respecting any ongoing investigative procedures, he said he was fully convinced there would be no finding of legal non-compliance in matters that were the government's responsibility.
He also said he discussed rising fuel prices with Rubio. Montenegro said prices in the United States had risen by about 100%, more than in Portugal, and reiterated the importance of a common response.
Sources
Azores Guide
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