UN General Assembly
1976

255. Situated in an area particularly sensitive to inter-national tensions, Portugal necessarily favors the relaxing of tensions between the great Powers as long as this is synonymous with security for the smaller nations. Respect for the dignity and essence of the diverse sovereignties is for us fundamental. The imperial arrogance of certain States today surely constitutes a factor of conflict and is no less lamentable for being almost always counter-productive. 256. Small country that we are, we are ready to defend the right to establish regional agreements capable of overcoming the persistent misapprehension that only the intervention of the great Powers can solve the most serious international conflicts. 257. Recently Portugal became a member of the Council of Europe and signed the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. We are, as well, intensifying our contacts with the nations of the European Economic Community with a view to full membership in that organization.