The aim of the visit was to discuss the continuous relationship, engagement and partnership between STRIKFORNATO and the Portuguese Armed Forces and to thank Admiral Silva Ribeiro for the collaborative support provided by Portugal, as host nation, to STRIKFORNATO.
Portugal and STRIKFORNATO signed the Memorandum of Understanding on 24 April 2012. This made Portugal the 11th member nation, joining STRIKFORNATO.
First established in 1953 in Naples, Italy, as STRIKFORSOUTH and redesignated as STRIKFORNATO in 2004, the Command relocated to Oeiras, Portugal in the Summer of 2012, where it remains to this day.
STRIKFORNATO is a Memorandum of Understanding organisation consisting of thirteen member nations: Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, the U.K. and U.S.