On 30 December 1959, in Lisbon, the Portuguese Minister of State with special responsibility for Trade, José Correia de Oliveira, signs the Convention of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Interactive map showing the seven founder members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in 1960, as well as the subsequent accessions and withdrawals that have determined the present composition of the organisation.

Chronological table on Member States of the European Free-Trade Association (EFTA) showing the date of their accession or withdrawal from the organisation, as well as the date of the free-trade agreements concluded between them and the European Economic Community (EEC) [to become the European Community (EC) after the Treaty on European Union came into force on 1 November 1993].

Following the signing of the Convention establishing the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in Stockholm on 19 and 20 November 1959, the Portuguese Directorate-General for Economic and Consular Affairs issues a circular concerning the origin and the objectives of the Convention so as to lay down a common strategy for future meetings with the representatives of the seven Member States.

On 4 January 1960, in Stockholm, the Ambassadors or Foreign Ministers of Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom sign the Convention establishing the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which is to enter into force on 3 May 1960.

On 4 January 1960, in Stockholm, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom sign the Convention establishing the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

On 23 April 1960, MP Alberto de Araújo submits to the Portuguese National Assembly the proposal for the ratification of the Convention establishing the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), signed in Stockholm on 4 January 1960.

On 3 May 1960, after ratification by the national parliaments of the Seven, the Convention establishing the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) officially comes into force in Stockholm.

On 5 June 1961, the Portuguese Government publishes a memorandum in which it gives a progress report on the initial negotiations between the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Free Trade Area (EFTA), of which Portugal is a member.

In this interview, José da Silva Lopes, former Minister for Finance and Foreign Trade, outlines the origins of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the reasons why Portugal favoured accession to this organisation when it was established in 1960 rather than accession to the European Economic Community (EEC).

On 3 September 1962, the Minister of State for Trade, José Correia de Oliveira, delivers an address to the Portuguese people about the creation of the Portuguese Economic Area (PEA), which seeks to establish the free movement of goods, services and persons between Portugal and its overseas territories.

In this interview, José da Silva Lopes, former Minister for Finance and Foreign Trade, explains why Portugal participated in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) when it acceded to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and outlines the consequences that this had on the country’s relations with its overseas territories.

These tables, published in 1961 in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Bulletin, show the positive development of trade in the organisation’s Member States.

On 18 March 1964, in his address to the Portuguese National Assembly, MP Alberto de Araújo gives a positive analysis of the government’s finances. He also refers to relations between the mainland and the country’s overseas territories with regard to the Common Market and to Portugal’s participation in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

The first Portuguese Delegation to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), chaired by the Minister of State, José Correia de Oliveira (front row, centre).

On 27 and 28 October 1966, the Council of Ministers of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) meets in Lisbon in order to consider the issues relating to the procurement and trade policies of public undertakings.

In this interview, José Medeiros Ferreira, former Portuguese Foreign Minister, outlines the nature of Portugal’s relations with the Member States of the European Communities when it was a Member State of the European Free Trade Association.

In this commemorative publication to mark the 40th anniversary of the European Free Trade Association, published in 2000 by the organisation’s Secretariat, one page is devoted to the EFTA Industrial Development Fund for Portugal, implemented on 1 February 1977.

In this interview, José Medeiros Ferreira, former Portuguese Foreign Minister, explains the importance for Portugal of the decision to establish the EFTA Industrial Development Fund in 1975.

Letter sent on 15 July 1959 by Jean Rey, member of the Commission of the European Economic Community (EEC), to Attilio Cattani, Chairman of the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper), to notify him of Portugal’s application to establish a diplomatic mission to the EEC.

On 30 July 1959, Christian Calmes, Secretary-General of the Council, sends a letter to Pierre Wigny, Minister representing the French Government in the EEC Council, and to Eugène Schaus, Luxembourg Minister for Foreign Affairs, informing them of the application to establish a mission to the European Economic Community (EEC) submitted by the Portuguese Government.

On 30 July 1959, Christian Calmes, Secretary-General of the Council, sends to the Belgian, French and Luxembourg Foreign Ministers a letter informing them of the application to establish a mission to the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC or Euratom) submitted by the Portuguese Government.

In a letter dated 14 August 1959, Jean Mille, Deputy Permanent Representative of France to the European Communities, informs Christian Calmes, Secretary-General of the Council, that his country is in favour of the establishment of a Portuguese diplomatic mission to the European Economic Community (EEC) and to the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC or Euratom).

In a letter dated 26 August 1959, Ernst Wohlfarth, Director of the Legal Service of the Council, notifies the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Representatives of the EEC Member States of the closure of the procedure for the establishment of a Portuguese diplomatic mission to the European Economic Community (EEC).

In a letter dated 17 July 1959, Heinz L. Krekeler, member of the Commission of the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC or Euratom), informs Attilio Cattani, Chairman of the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper), of Portugal’s intention to appoint a representative to the EAEC.

In an internal note dated 18 July 1961, the Portuguese Foreign Ministry emphasises the need to accredit an Ambassador to the European Economic Community and proposes the appointment of the Portuguese Ambassador to Belgium as the Permanent Representative to the EEC.

On 26 February 1962, the Executive Secretary of the Commission of the European Economic Community (EEC) informs the Secretary-General of the Council that the Portuguese Government wishes to appoint José Tomás Cabral Calvet de Magalhães as Head of Portugal’s Mission to the EEC.

This letter from the General Secretariat, dated 2 March 1962 and sent to the members of the Council of the European Economic Community (EEC), notifies the intention of the Portuguese Government to appoint José Tomás Cabral Calvet de Magalhães as Head of its Mission to the EEC.

In a letter dated 12 March 1962, Heinz Krekeler, Member of the Euratom Commission, notifies Maurice Couve de Murville, President of the Council of Ministers of the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC or Euratom), of the appointment of José Tomás Cabral Calvet de Magalhães as the Head of Portugal’s Mission to the EAEC.

In a letter dated 28 March 1962, the General Secretariat of the Council notifies Walter Hallstein, President of the Commission of the European Economic Community (EEC), of his agreement concerning the appointment of José Tomás Cabral Calvet de Magalhães as the Head of Portugal’s Mission to the EEC.

On 19 April 1962, the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs sends a telegram to the Portuguese Ambassador to Brussels stating that, despite the reactions of some countries, he has to request the opening of negotiations with the EEC.

On 2 May 1962, the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC or Euratom) notify the press of the appointment of José Tomás Cabral Calvet de Magalhães as the Head of Portugal’s Mission to the EEC and the EAEC.

In a letter dated 19 June 1964, Emmanuel Sassen, Member of the Commission of the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC or Euratom), informs Henri Fayat, President of the Euratom Council, that Portugal intends to recall José Calvet de Magalhães and to appoint Albano Nogueira as Head of Portugal’s Mission to the European Communities.

On 26 June 1964, the Executive Secretary of the Commission of the European Economic Community (EEC) informs the Secretary-General of the Council that the Portuguese Government wishes to appoint Albano Nogueira as the new Head of Portugal’s Mission to the EEC.

In a letter dated 17 July 1964, the General Secretariat of the Council notifies the members of the Council of the European Economic Community (EEC) and of the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC or Euratom) of its agreement to the appointment of Albano Nogueira as the Head of Portugal’s Mission to the European Communities.

On 22 July 1964, the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community inform the press of the appointment of Albano Pires Fernandes Nogueira as the Head of Portugal's Mission to the EEC and the EAEC.

On 18 May 1962, José Gonçalo Corrêa de Oliveira, Portuguese Minister of State, sends a letter to the President of the Council of the European Communities, expressing, on behalf of his country, his wish to open negotiations with the Communities.

In this letter dated 22 June 1962 and forwarded to the President of the Council of the European Economic Community (EEC), the General Secretary of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, Harm-Geert Buiter, expresses his organisation’s opposition to the opening of negotiations between the EEC and the dictatorial Portuguese regime.

In his letter dated 29 June 1962, the President of the Council of the European Economic Community (EEC), Maurice Couve de Murville, informs the Portuguese Minister of State, José Gonçalo Corrêa de Oliveira, that he has received his request for the opening of negotiations and that he has forwarded it to the members of the Council.

At their meeting held from 7 to 9 November 1962, the Permanent Representatives of the Member States of the European Communities note Portugal’s wish to be associated with the Community.

On 10 November 1962, the General Secretariat of the Councils of the European Communities drafts a note to the President of the Council on relations between Portugal and the European Economic Community (EEC).

This note from the General Secretariat, dated 30 November 1962, announces that, at the request of the French Delegation, the issue of the relations between the European Economic Community (EEC) and Portugal will be entered on the agenda of the next meeting of the Council.

At a select meeting, held in Brussels at its 88th session from 3 to 5 December 1962, the EEC Council agrees to hear the Portuguese Government with the aim of subsequently being able to adopt a position on the request for the opening of negotiations submitted by Portugal.

In a letter dated 19 December 1962, Emilio Colombo, President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities, notifies the Minister of State of the Portuguese Government, José Gonçalo Corrêa de Oliveira, of the decision taken by the Council to consider his Government’s request for the opening of negotiations with the European Economic Community (EEC).

On 4 February 1969, Portugal’s Mission to the European Communities forwards to the Commission a memorandum on the request for the opening of negotiations between Portugal and the European Economic Community (EEC) submitted by the Portuguese Government in 1962.

On 8 April 1970, in his address to the Portuguese National Assembly, MP Franco Nogueira considers the issue of the Portuguese nation and Europe. He refers, in particular, to the choice facing Portugal between the option of Europe and that of the country’s overseas territories and emphasises the need for the country to accede to the European Community in order to benefit from the advantages that it offers.

On 28 May 1970, Portugal’s Mission to the European Communities sends a memorandum to the Council of the European Communities on relations between the Member States of the European Free Trade Association and those of the European Economic Community.

In a letter dated 30 September 1970, Walter Scheel, President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities, invites Rui Patrício, Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs, to attend a ministerial meeting at which the situation of Portugal in relation to the European Economic Community (EEC) would be considered.

On 15 October 1970, Rui Patrício, Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs, confirms receipt of the letter, dated 30 September 1970, sent by Walter Scheel, President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities, concerning the invitation to attend a ministerial meeting in order to discuss the situation of Portugal in relation to the European Economic Community.

On 18 January 1971, the Portuguese Foreign Ministry sends to its Diplomatic Missions abroad a confidential circular to inform them of the operation and aims of the exploratory talks which began on 7 January in Brussels between Ruy Teixeira Guerra, Head of the Portuguese Delegation, and Edmond Wellenstein, Director-General of Foreign Trade at the Commission of the European Communities.

In a communication to the Council, dated 16 June 1971, the Commission of the European Communities gives a summary of the exploratory discussions held from December 1970 to April 1971 between the Community and Portugal.

On 12 June 1970, the Portuguese Minister for the Economy and Finance, João Augusto Dias Rosas, and the French Foreign Minister, Maurice Schumann, discuss the Common Market.

This note from the General Secretariat of the Council, dated 7 July 1970, sets out the approaches made to the European Communities by the Member States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which have not applied for accession.

This press release from the Commission, dated 19 June 1971, outlines the consequences of the enlargement of the European Economic Community (EEC) on its relations with the Member States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which have not applied for accession.

On 9 September 1971, the General Secretariat of the Council drafts an internal document which sets out the relations to be maintained with those member and associated States of EFTA which are not applicants for accession to the European Communities, addressing, in particular, the issues relating to the Stockholm Convention, to multilateral trade agreements and to association agreements.

On 21 July 1972, the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Communities informs the press of the programme for the ceremony to be held to mark the signing of the agreements between the European Economic Community (EEC) and the Member States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which have not applied for accession.

Handwritten note from Christian Calmes, Secretary-General of the Council, concerning the preparations for the ceremony held to mark the signing of the trade agreement between Portugal and the European Economic Community (EEC), due to be held on 22 July 1972 in Brussels.

On 22 July 1972, in Brussels, the European Economic Community (EEC) and the Portuguese Republic sign an agreement which provides for the dismantling of tariffs on industrial goods and on certain agricultural products.

Table listing the plenipotentiaries designated to sign the agreements with Austria, Iceland, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as the additional protocols with Liechtenstein, on 22 July 1972 in Egmont Palace, Brussels.

Table listing the names and positions held by the Ministers making up the Portuguese delegation to the signing in Brussels of the 22 July 1972 agreements with Austria, Iceland, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as the additional protocols with Liechtenstein.

On 22 July 1972, at the Egmont Palace in Brussels, Norbert Schmelzer, Netherlands Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council, delivers an address at the ceremony for the signing of the Agreements between the European Economic Community (EEC) and the Member States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which have not applied for accession, including Portugal.

On 22 July 1972, as the trade agreements between the European Economic Community and Austria, Finland, Iceland, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland are signed in Brussels, Jean-François Deniau, Member of the Commission, gives an address in which he outlines the importance of these agreements for the progress of European integration and relations with the other Member States of the Community.

On 22 July 1972, at the signing in Brussels of the Trade Agreement between Portugal and the European Economic Community (EEC), Rui Patrício, Portuguese Foreign Minister, delivers an address in which he places particular emphasis on the need to deepen relations and extend the areas of cooperation between Portugal and the European Communities.

On 28 July 1972, Rui Patrício delivers an address broadcast by Portuguese television (RTP) following the signing of the trade agreement between Portugal and the EEC a few days earlier in Brussels.

As the Agreement negotiated between the European Community and the member countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which have not applied for accession to the Community is signed in Brussels on 22 July 1972, the Commission of the European Communities publishes an information note for the press which provides an assessment of these negotiations.

In this interview, José da Silva Lopes, former Minister for Finance and Foreign Trade, outlines the reasons which led Portugal to negotiate a trade agreement with the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1972 and the role played by the United Kingdom in these negotiations.

On 26 April 1970, the British weekly newspaper The Observer describes the determination of Mário Soares, an opponent of the Portuguese dictatorship, to return to the country, despite the threats made against him.

In 1974, General António de Spínola, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Armed Forces in Africa, is dismissed for having published his book entitled Portugal e o Futuro. Análise da conjuntura nacional [‘Portugal and the Future'] in which he advocates an end to the colonial wars. His dismissal incites military insurgents to take part in the coup d'état of 25 April 1974 and what becomes known as the ‘Carnation Revolution'.

On 25 April 1974, at the outset of the military revolt and the ‘Revolution of the Carnations', Portuguese soldiers take up their positions in the centre of Lisbon.

On 25 April 1974, during the ‘Carnation Revolution', the Portuguese army is cheered by the crowds of people gathered in the streets of central Lisbon.

On 25 April 1974, reporting on the early stages of the military insurrection and the ‘Carnation Revolution’, the Portuguese daily newspaper Diário de Notícias assesses the situation in Lisbon.

In April 1974, the French cartoonist, Plantu, illustrates the consequences of the military coup d’état and the ‘Carnation Revolution’ in Portugal and looks at the ambitions of the new military regime.

On 26 April 1974, the French daily newspaper Le Monde considers the consequences of the military insurrection and of the ‘Carnation Revolution’ in Portugal and analyses the ambitions of the new military regime.

On 29 April 1974, four days after the military coup d'état in Portugal, the Junta for National Salvation holds its first press conference. From left to right: Captain António Alva Rosa Coutinho, Captain José Baptista Pinheiro de Azevedo, General Francisco da Costa Gomes, General António de Spínola, Brigadier Jaime Silvério Marques and Colonel Carlos Galvão de Melo.

On 1 May 1974, crowds of people throng the streets and squares of Lisbon to celebrate the overthrow, one week previously, of the Salazar dictatorship.

On 18 May 1974, the President of the National Salvation Junta, General António de Spínola, is proclaimed the new President of the Portuguese Republic at the Queluz National Palace in Lisbon.

On 15 May 1974, in Lisbon, Mário Soares, Secretary-General of the Portuguese Socialist Party, was appointed Foreign Minister of the Provisional Government by the President of the National Salvation Junta and subsequent President of the Republic, General António de Spínola.