The Diplomat
The Portuguese Minister of National Defence, Nuno Melo, yesterday called on Spain to hand over the village of Olivenza, in Badajoz, located near the border between the two countries, stressing that it is a Portuguese municipality “by treaty” and he believes that it is a “fair” right to demand this claim.
“Olivenza is Portuguese, naturally, and it is not a provocation,” he said in statements to the media from Estremoz, in the district of Évora, according to the Portuguese agency Lusa.
The minister explained that, according to the Treaty of Alcañices, signed by the Crown of Castile and the Kingdom of Portugal in 1297, the Portuguese State does not recognise Olivenza as Spanish territory. Nuno Melo recalled that he already defended this issue when he was a member of the European Parliament, so he is not willing to give up this claim.
Meanwhile, the leader of the Socialist Party, Pedro Nuno Santos, rejected the minister’s statements, which he said were “extremely serious” and had “an impact on foreign policy”, especially on diplomatic relations with Spain. He demanded responsibility from the Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro.
