I greet all the participants in this Defence Leaders Forum and address a special word of welcome to the representatives of NATO, of the Partnership for Peace, of the Mediterranean Dialogue and of the other nations which are supporting NATO in the current operations. I am very pleased to have been associated with this event since its inception, and that it is being held in Portugal for the first time.

The 21st century, whilst bringing with it an improvement in the social and economic aspects of society, has also brought a measure of instability and lack of security that generates uncertainties and fears in the construction of a better future. Amongst the several reasons that may explain this global sense of insecurity, the threat of terrorism, including its cybernetic component, is an outstanding feature, as well as the risks and threats related to energy security, rightly and timely approached in this forum.

With threats and the strategic and operational environment under transformation, our tools will also have to be changed in order to fight them. The issues discussed in this forum are of great relevance and actuality for this purpose, and some of the responses provided are a very positive contribution to strengthen the effective capabilities of our force structures.

That this second International Forum is now being held in Portugal is a sign that this Country is in the route of information technologies, and that there are national institutions and companies prepared to respond to the challenges deriving from this new international paradigm.

I am certain that the discussions and opinions held during this event, handling the area of defence in an international context, and the contribution of information technologies towards security, will become very useful tools for the construction of a safer global environment, both for countries and for people in general.

Conferences such as this can generate a positive impulse within the field of research and development in the area of defence. A greater number of companies may be motivated to take up this sphere of activity, bringing added value to the Portuguese economy, to National Defence and to the Armed Forces, and thus contributing to European and World security.

Certain that this forum has fully reached its objectives, I would like to congratulate the organizing bodies for carrying it out and to leave a word of appreciation to Microsoft Portugal, for bringing to Portugal the organization of such an important event.