In the wonderful city of Vienna for the @ecfr.eu Annual Conference, I had the pleasure of meeting Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger to discuss current challenges in the Sahel. @beate.neos.eu

On the margins of the 2026 @globsec.org, I had a great exchange of views with 🇬🇭 Minister Ablakwa of Ghana on the latest developments in the Sahel as well as Ghana’s engagement at the regional and multilateral levels.

Good meeting in Prague with Minister of Foreign Affairs Petr Macinka. It was an opportunity to thank Czechia for its strong engagement in Sahel matters, and its understanding of the geostrategic importance of the region for Europe.

In Madrid: great meeting about the Sahel with Minister José Manuel Albares. Thank you to Spain for its constant interest in this vital region. @jmalbares.bsky.social 🇪🇸🇪🇺

His academic background, his public service and his diplomatic experience, will be great assets in strengthening the College of Europe’s role as a leading institution in European studies. Wishing him all the best in this new role!

Congratulations to @joaocravinho.bsky.social on his appointment as the next Rector of the @collegeofeurope.bsky.social. 🇪🇺 Muitos parabéns!

Participation au Forum Paix et Sécurité à Dakar, local privilégié pour multiples rencontres, et pour une excellente réunion avec le Ministre d’Affaires Extérieurs du Sénégal Cheikh Niang.

À Lomé, audience avec le President du Conseil Faure Gnassingbe, pour passer en revue la situation régionale et les relations bilatérales UE-Togo.

Chocado pela notícia do falecimento de Diogo Ramada Curto. Brilhante e sempre disponível para uma boa polémica, o Diogo era um intelectual público de rara craveira com quem dava sempre imenso gosto falar. Vai fazer muita falta.

As the war in Iran takes center stage, there is only one winner: Russia. Profiting from rising energy prices and the diversion of military capabilities and benefiting from the reduced attention to the Ukrainian front.

Saúdo calorosamente a ratificação do Acordo UE–Mercosul pela Argentina e pelo Uruguai. Juntos, estamos a criar a maior zona de comércio livre do mundo. Um passo decisivo rumo a um comércio aberto, prosperidade partilhada e laços mais fortes entre as nossas regiões.

The EU stands firm with Ukraine. For a just and lasting peace. For a strong and sovereign Ukraine in a strong and sovereign Europe. Our joint statement with @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu @president.europarl.europa.eu link.europa.eu/RJCmBh

Esta manhã na Antena 1, a falar do significado da invasão da Ucrânia pela Rússia, no quarto aniversário. www.rtp.pt/play/p13910/...

The Berlaymont building, headquarters for the European Commission, lit up in the colours of Ukraine. As it should be. In celebration of the immense courage of the people of Ukraine, who fight not only for their future but for the future of the European Union as well. Slava Ukraini!

Merci aux autorités maliennes pour une visite intense et fructueuse. Réunions avec le premier ministre, le ministre d’affaires étrangères, le ministre des maliens à l’exterieur, bien comme d’excelentes échanges avec EUCAP Sahel et le corps diplomatique européen et non-européen.

Our Executive Director Astrid Irrgang will moderate the #MSC2026 Townhall “Point of Return: Reengaging with the #Sahel” with Julius Maada Wonie Bio​, @sarajacobs.house.gov​​, Ottilia Anna Maunganidze, Ould Sidi Hanana, and @joaocravinho.bsky.social​​ at @munsecconf.bsky.social​.

Let’s see what happens at the 62nd Munich Security Conference this week. The Sahel will be the focus of a Townhall this Friday, in which I am speaking along with President Bio of Sierra Leone, defence minister Hanana of Mauritania and others. Looking forward to it!

Viste au nouveau Mémorial en honneur de Thomas Sankara à Ouagadougou. Un monument très réussi.

Réunions très fructueuses et ouvertes à Ouagadougou, avec le Premier Ministre, et les ministres des Affaires Étrangères, de l’Economie et de la Sécurité, bien comme plusieurs représentants de la société civile.

Ventura já quer adiar as eleições? Acho que ele não leu bem o manual da extrema direita. Essa medida só aparece muito mais à frente.

Very useful and interesting visit to Helsinki to discuss the relevance of the Sahel. The temperature may have been subzero but the reception was very warm and the winter light was beautiful. Thank you @elinavaltonen.bsky.social and Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Incredible India is becoming Incredible EU-India Free Trade Agreement, Security and Defence Partnership and Joint Strategy Towards 2030. Another indispensable step towards Strategic Autonomy.

Today marks a historic moment as we open a new chapter in #EUIndia relations - on trade, security, and people-to-people ties. Our Summit sends a clear message: in a reshaping global order, the EU and India stand together as strategic, reliable partners.

Good to see a contingent representing the European Union, led by Colonel Spruijt acting on behalf of the EU Military Staff, at the #RepublicDay parade.

For almost 4 years my phone has been giving me the temperatures in Ukraine. After another night of war crimes, with Putin targeting civilian energy infrastructure, around 1.2 million Ukrainians are without power. It’s good to remember what Putin actually does while negotiating “peace”.

“Interests, instruments, and sufficient unity are 3 fundamental parameters that should guide the EU’s principled pragmatism in the world”. Great to be in the opening panel of the CMI Martti Ahrisaari Foundation Annual High-Level Dialogue today in Brussels, together with UNCTAD SG Rebecca Grynspan.

Visite très riche à Niamey du Rep Spécial de l’UE, @joaocravinho.bsky.social. Discussions de haut niveau avec les autorités lors d'1 audience avec le PM Zeine et plusieurs Ministres. Il a aussi visité des initiatives de jeunes & femmes entrepreneurs & le projet Gde muraille verte, financées par UE.

Visite à Niamey, où j’ai été impressionné par la qualité de certains projets de coopération de l’UE dans le domaine de la Grande Muraille Verte et de soutien aux entrepreneurs jeunes et femmes.

The relevance of the EU–Mercosur trade agreement goes well beyond its economic impact. It sends a clear and powerful message to the world in defence of free trade, multilateralism, and the rules-based international order.

Momento histórico! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Pedro Norton certíssimo no Público de hoje. É uma nova Europa que temos de construir. Temos de olhar para além dos muitíssimos pequenos obstáculos para perceber a evidência que se acumula: este é o momento para um poderoso impulso europeísta. www.publico.pt/2026/01/13/o...

A pedido da Visão escrevi um artigo de 4 páginas sobre alguns dos principais desafios para África em 2026. Vale a pena comprar a revista. Se não quiserem ler o artigo, será pelo menos um contributo para manter viva a revista, neste momento tão difícil para o pluralismo da comunicação social.

No Dia Internacional de Luta contra a Corrupção, o meu pai foi homenageado. Tive a oportunidade de explicar o que o movia, como ele via a questão da corrupção em Portugal e a nossa tradicional dificuldade em lidar com ela. E qual o caminho que ela via para o futuro. www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

Allies must act as allies. We must respect each other's sovereignty. Europeans do not share the same vision as the Americans on various issues. This is natural. What we cannot accept is the threat of interference in Europe’s democratic life.

Our history has taught us that there is no freedom of speech without freedom of information. And freedom of information exists where there is respect for pluralism. There will be no freedom of speech if citizens' freedom of information is sacrificed to defend some tech oligarchs.

Very good analysis of the US Strategy by @nathalietocci.bsky.social ⬇️ foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/05/n...

Wrapping up a very interesting mission to Ghana, with strong sense of partnership, shared values and concerns. It’s good to have friends like Ghana! Special thanks to Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, Ghana’s Special envoy for the Sahel.

Honoured to be received by President Mahama in Accra. Very useful discussion of the dynamics and challenges of the Sahel.

Sobre a mistificação da história : o que hoje se celebra tem muito mais a ver com 2025 do que com 1975. www.publico.pt/2025/11/20/p...

AU-EU Summit in Luanda, celebrating a strong understanding that in this turbulent world each continent needs the other.

Bom dia Luanda! Sempre um enorme gosto regressar a Angola 🇦🇴

An important moment for EU-Sahel relations: the Foreign Affairs Council validated the Renewed Approach to the Sahel. We look forward to working on the different dimensions: political and diplomatic engagement; human security: social cohesion and economic opportunities.

This week we had a Ministerial Round table on the humanitarian challenges in the Sahel and Lake Chad basin, organized by DG ECHO together with the DK EU presidency and the African Union. Very wide participation, which is evidence of deep concern but also commitment to working together.

Great start to the week with an insightful discussion on the political and security realities in the Sahel, hosted by 🇩🇰 Presidency. Professor Nina Wilén presented some of the key ideas in her new book on Securitising the Sahel, excellent background for a good debate ahead of this week’s FAC.

At the Manama Dialogues, discussing the EU’s approach to the Sahel on Saudi TV Al Arabiya. youtu.be/ak36NNAf3Dw?...

At the 2nd 🇪🇺 Youth, Peace, and Security Week in Brussels, I met with young changemakers, including from Africa and Europe, to hear their recommendations on addressing the climate-youth-peace-security nexus in the context of EU external action, with a particular focus on West Africa and the Sahel.

Tive o gosto de receber ontem os jovens portugueses a realizar estágios nas instituições europeias. Uma excelente discussão sobre política externa, as perspetivas em África e no Sahel, assim como o papel de Portugal na 🇪🇺 .

The very best of wishes to the extraordinary Nancy Pelosi upon her retirement!