PORTUGAL'S IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL

UNCLAS LISBON 000969 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR OES/IHB JC KOWAL, OES/IB, AND IO/T ANN BLACKWOOD HHS FOR INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGULATIONS PROGRAM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC PREL TBIO WHO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL'S IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGULATIONS REF: STATE 102885 ¶1. On April 4, poleconoff delivered reftel points to Goncalo Silvestre, the MFA's Attache for International Organizations, encouraging early implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) in light of continuing global threats to public health. Silvestre noted that Portugal is adopting the common EU approach toward IHR implementation, in accordance with the EU Directive on the subject. While recently appointed Minister of Health Ana Jorge had no specific updates to share, Silvestre added, Portugal already complies with the regulations to a large degree by virtue of its existing laws and public health system. ¶2. Poleconoff also shared a copy of the U.S. IHR implementation plan. Silvestre noted that Portugal, in its capacity as former EU President, submitted an EU declaration in July 2007 which stated that "a Party may not invoke the provisions of internal law as justification for its failure to perform its international obligations," in response to U.S. concerns that the regulations be implemented consistent with the principles of federalism. Nevertheless, Silvestre commented, he was pleased to see the U.S. move forward rapidly despite its formal reservation. Stephenson