Media and news Regional Government of the Azores - Communication

Nota de Imprensa
November 25, 2025
Governo dos Açores solicita prorrogação do prazo do Plano de Reestruturação da SATA à Comissão Europeia
No contexto das reuniões regulares do Governo dos Açores com a Comissão Europeia, informa-se que o Executivo solicitou a prorrogação, até 31 de dezembro de 2026, da decisão relativa à reestruturação do Grupo SATA, tendo em conta a resposta do mercado e complexidade do processo. Tal prorrogação permitirá garantir a conclusão das medidas previstas no Plano de Reestruturação e assegurar a estabilidade operacional e financeira do grupo. Entretanto, foi entregue uma proposta formal para a aquisição da Azores Airlines, demonstrando o interesse de investidores privados na transportadora aérea açoriana e reforçando a confiança no trabalho desenvolvido no âmbito da sua reestruturação. Esta proposta encontra-se atualmente em fase de análise pelo júri. O Governo Regional assinala também que se encontra na fase final o processo de autonomização da área de handling, com a criação de uma nova empresa, a SATA Handling, possibilitando, deste modo, avançar para a alienação desta unidade de negócio prevista no Plano de Reestruturação aprovado. Estes acontecimentos são avanços decisivos na concretização do compromisso do Governo dos Açores de assegurar a sustentabilidade do Grupo SATA, proteger a sua missão de coesão e continuidade territorial e promover a competitividade do setor da aviação regional. O Governo dos Açores reafirma que continuará a trabalhar com transparência e determinação para garantir o cumprimento integral do Plano de Reestruturação, salvaguardando simultaneamente os interesses da Região Autónoma dos Açores e de todos os seus cidadãos.

Nota de Imprensa
November 25, 2025
Mónica Seidi diz que objetivo na Saúde é colocar “cada açoriano no centro das decisões e dos cuidados”
A Secretária Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social, Mónica Seidi, afirmou hoje que o compromisso do Governo dos Açores em 2026 para a Saúde consiste em potenciar um “sistema de maior proximidade, mais ágil e mais humanista, que integra a tecnologia e coloca cada açoriano no centro das decisões e dos cuidados”. “Este é o caminho escolhido, conjugando as oportunidades dadas pelo PRR, que possibilitará ao Serviço Regional de Saúde (SRS) modernizar-se, diferenciar-se e tornar-se competitivo e aliciante para a fixação de profissionais de saúde”, assinalou. Mónica Seidi falava na Assembleia Legislativa da Região Autónoma dos Açores, na Horta, no segundo dia de debate em torno das propostas de Plano e Orçamento para o próximo ano. Nos próximos tempos, haverá avanços em várias instituições, anunciou a governante, que declarou que o parque automóvel será renovado com 71 viaturas e serão comprados ‘robots’ cirúrgicos, “cujo lançamento dos respetivos concursos ocorrerá até ao final do presente ano”. Ademais, serão adquiridos aparelhos TAC para o Hospital da Horta e a USI de São Jorge e serão substituídos os aparelhos de Raio-X das ilhas do Corvo, Flores, São Jorge, Pico e São Miguel. “Através do PRR, a opção política deste Governo foi a de substituir todos os equipamentos obsoletos deixados pela governação socialista de mais de duas décadas. Contra factos não há argumentos! E isso, não é, nem pode ser visto como irrelevante”, acrescentou. Mónica Seidi adiantou ainda que o Plano de Investimentos para 2026 contempla quatro programas diferentes para recuperação de listas de espera, para especialidades cirúrgicas e não cirúrgicas, sendo que, relativamente às cirurgias, falando no global, o SRS, em outubro de 2025, “aumentou em 11% o número médio de doentes operados desde maio de 2024”. E prosseguiu: “entre maio e dezembro de 2024, o agravamento da lista de inscritos no HDES foi de 2.4%. Em 2025, entre janeiro e outubro, reduzimos esse agravamento para metade, ou seja 1.2%. Graças ao empenho dos nossos profissionais de saúde, estamos a recuperar! Mas queremos naturalmente responder de forma mais célere a quem aguarda, daí o reforço significativo das verbas para o Vale Saúde e para o Cirurge”. No que refere ao Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo (HDES), vitimado por um incêndio em 2024, o seu futuro “está a ser definido, seguindo os trâmites legais a que a Administração Central do Sistema de Saúde obriga”. “Decorrem semanalmente as reuniões da comissão de análise, processo tecnicamente complexo e moroso. Já foi identificada uma preferência clara por um dos programas funcionais que no geral prevê a remodelação do atual edifício, a ampliação do SU/UCI, a área de ambulatório e novas áreas para a logística. Mas o novo HDES não será apenas betão. É necessário também diferenciar a resposta aos nossos utentes. Prova disso mesmo é a possibilidade de aquisição de um aparelho de PET, dirigido maioritariamente aos doentes oncológicos, que prevê uma poupança superior a 500 mil euros/ano, evitando deslocações para o exterior da Região”, disse Mónica Seidi. Além disso, prosseguiu, o investimento recente no HDES “já está a produzir resultados”, sendo prova disso o facto de, em 2026, ter sido atribuída pela primeira vez uma vaga para a especialidade médica de urgência, que funciona no Hospital Modular, ou “até mesmo a visita recente do Colégio de Medicina Intensiva ao serviço que funciona também no Hospital Modular, e que destacou a evolução organizacional, assistencial e material, atribuindo-lhe duas vagas de especialidade para 2026”. “Sabemos bem onde estamos e para onde queremos ir. Na Saúde, este Governo deixará, como parte do seu legado, um novo e moderno HDES”, continuou. No campo dos comportamentos aditivos, as políticas regionais estão em consonância com a política nacional, europeia e outras estratégias internacionais, com a Task Force Açores, “que poucos tanto criticaram”, a desempenhar um “papel decisivo”. E justificou: “fruto deste trabalho, e graças à ação de vários intervenientes a nível regional, conseguimos diligenciar para que no próximo ano seja possível criminalizar a substância NEP, implicando pena de prisão”. “Para 2026, queremos também reforçar a capacidade dos parceiros do setor que trabalham diretamente no eixo da prevenção e do tratamento. O Governo Regional já acordou com as Casas de Saúde o valor das diárias no âmbito dos comportamentos aditivos e saúde mental, para os próximos quatro anos. Para 2026, a diária aumentará 10% no caso da Saúde Mental e 11% para os comportamentos aditivos, depois de vários anos congelada pela governação socialista”, vincou também a Secretária Regional. Já no que refere às IPSS, e assumido que está o “momento delicado que atravessam”, em virtude de atrasos de pagamentos da República, prosseguirão “todos os esforços para que o IGF transfira o valor em falta do acordo de cooperação para o ISSA”. Também para a área social, os investimentos PRR, defendeu Mónica Seidi, “são de extrema importância”, e permitem dotar as IPSS de melhores condições. “No próximo ano, aumentaremos a capacidade de várias valências nas áreas: do apoio aos idosos, ao público com necessidades especiais e o apoio à infância em mais de 240 novas vagas, nas ilhas Graciosa, São Miguel, Flores e Pico. São nove empreitadas. Mais 240 vagas. E mais 1,6 milhões de euros de financiamento para as nossas instituições”. Relativamente ao programa Novos Idosos, implementado no XIII Governo dos Açores e com continuidade na atual governação, este já abrangeu 519 idosos açorianos, sendo o seu sucesso “inquestionável”. E concluiu: “antecipámos o cumprimento da meta já em setembro de 2025, e teremos a possibilidade de estender o mesmo até 2026 com financiamento do PRR”. Nota relacionada: Intervenção da Secretária Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

Intervenção
November 25, 2025
Speech by the Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security
Full text of the speech delivered today by the Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, in Horta, during the discussion of the Plan and Budget for 2026: "The Azorean Government's commitment to health in 2026 is to create a more accessible, faster and humane system that integrates technology and places each Azorean at the heart of decisions and care. This is the path chosen, combining the opportunities provided by the RRP, which will enable the Regional Health Service (SRS) to modernise, differentiate and become competitive and attractive for retaining health professionals. This will be a unique opportunity for our institutions, so that they can, for example: - Renew their vehicle fleet by acquiring 71 vehicles; - Purchase surgical robots, for which tenders will be launched by the end of this year; - Enable the Horta Hospital and the São Jorge Island Health Unit to purchase CT scanners; - Replace the X-ray machines on the islands of Corvo, Flores, São Jorge, Pico and São Miguel; - Purchase two mobile units for breast cancer screening; With the RRP, the political choice of this Government was to replace all the obsolete equipment left behind by more than two decades of socialist governance. Against facts, there are no arguments! And that is not, nor can it be perceived as irrelevant. The Government of the Azores is attentive to the problems of the Azoreans and refuses to accept them with resignation without presenting solutions. For this purpose, we have brought forward the launch of the suicide prevention helpline in the Region, which is now available to help those who need it most. As in other systems, access to health care is often hampered by increased demand for care. In the Azores, we have identified the bottlenecks and want to mitigate them. Based on this premise, the investment plan for 2026 includes four different programmes to reduce waiting lists for surgical and non-surgical specialities. - At the Divino Espirito Santo Hospital, the colonoscopy recovery programme provides for a further 72 examinations, in addition to those scheduled until the end of 2025. - In terms of tests, a further 3,350 tests were carried out under this activity system in the first nine months. In 2026, we want to consolidate this programme and extend it to other specialities. Regarding surgeries, the recovery of SRS activity is notable. Overall, in October 2025, the SRS increased the average number of patients undergoing surgery since May 2024 by 11%. Between May and December 2024, the increase in the number of patients registered with the HDES stood at 2.4%. In 2025, between January and October, we reduced this increase by half, to 1.2%. Thanks to the commitment of our healthcare professionals, we are recovering! However, we want to respond more quickly to those who are waiting, hence the significant increase in funding for the Health Voucher and Cirurge. The future of HDES is being defined, following the legal procedures required by the Central Administration of the Health System. The analysis committee meets weekly, as it is a technically complex and time-consuming process. A clear preference has already been identified for one of the functional programmes, which generally provides for the refurbishment of the current building, the expansion of the Emergency Department/Intensive Care Unit, the outpatient area and new areas for logistics. But the new HDES will not just be concrete. It is also necessary to differentiate the response to our users. Evidence of this is the possibility of acquiring a PET scanner, aimed mainly at cancer patients, which is expected to save more than €500,000 per year by avoiding travel outside the Region. Furthermore, recent investment in HDES is already yielding results. This is demonstrated by the fact that, in 2026, a position was created for the first time for the medical speciality of emergency medicine, which operates at the Modular Hospital. There was even a recent visit by the College of Intensive Care Medicine to the service that also operates at the Modular Hospital, which highlighted the organisational, care and material developments, awarding it two specialist vacancies for 2026. We know exactly where we are and where we want to go. In health, this Government will deliver a new and modern HDES as part of its legacy. In 2026, we will maintain our focus: people are always at the heart of government action, especially the most vulnerable. In the area of addictive behaviours, regional policies are aligned with national, European and other international strategies. The Azores Task Force, which some have criticised, has played a decisive role. As a result of this work and thanks to the efforts of various stakeholders at a regional level, we have managed to ensure that next year it will be possible to criminalise the NEP substance, with prison sentences for offenders. By 2026, we also want to strengthen the capacity of partners in the sector who work directly in the area of prevention and treatment. The Regional Government has already agreed with the Health Centres on the daily rates for addictive behaviours and mental health for the next four years. For 2026, the daily rate will increase by 10% for mental health and 11% for addictive behaviours, after several years of being frozen by the socialist government. A word of solidarity for the Private Social Solidarity Institutions (IPSS) of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, given the delicate situation they are currently facing. It is not fair that the National Government insists on not understanding our situation as an archipelago. We will continue to make every effort to ensure that the IGF transfers the outstanding amount from the cooperation agreement to ISSA, as we do not accept that the rules of the game should be changed halfway through. RRP investments are also extremely important for the social sector, enabling us to provide our IPSS with better conditions. Next year, we will increase capacity in several areas: support for senior citizens, people with special needs, and children, with more than 240 new places on the islands of Graciosa, São Miguel, Flores, and Pico. There are nine projects. Over 240 vacancies. And over 1.6 million Euros in funding for our institutions. As for the New Seniors programme, which has already reached 519 seniors in the Azores, its success is undeniable! So much so that we have brought forward the target date to September 2025, and we will be able to extend it to 2026 with funding from the RRP. Azorean seniors and their families acknowledge the work of this Government."

Nota de Imprensa
November 24, 2025
Sofia Ribeiro says people are the Government's top priority
The Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport, Sofia Ribeiro, stressed today that, in the areas under her responsibility, "there is always much to be done" and one "cannot do everything at once." Nevertheless, the priority for 2026 lies in policies for people. "We propose the consistency and consolidation of the work carried out, which has ensured the evolution and growth of the Region and support for families, also achieved through the job stability of workers in Education, Culture and Sport," she said. The government official at the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, in Horta, on the first day of debate on the proposals for next year's Plan and Budget. In the area of education, Sofia Ribeiro began by pointing out that the Azores Education Strategy 2030 "established as a priority the alignment of the Azores' results with those of the rest of the country," a “focus” of governance "reflected in this proposed Budget and Investment Plan." "A few days ago, we received the results of a study conducted by the Ministry of Education showing that Azorean students had the best results in 9th-grade math since 2012. We are very proud of this result, which reflects the commitment, taken since the beginning of this Government, to investing in educational projects focused on the success of each student," she noted.  She continued: "We are also proud of our students' results in recent National Exams. In 2025, the Azores scored higher than the national average in eight subjects. The Investment Plan for 2026 does not overlook the historic decline in the early dropout rate from education and training, and continues to focus on closing the gap with the rest of the country. Today, we have the lowest rate ever recorded in the Azores. However, this proposal for investment in education also focuses on direct action for families, and social support continues to be the Plan's largest item of expenditure." According to her, we are talking about 14 million Euros for Social Welfare in schools "With the support allocated by this Government to all Azoreans over the last few years, we have managed to reduce the number of students in need of support and increase aid for students with greater difficulties. Since 2020, we have had 10.9% fewer students in schools overall, and 17.4% fewer students benefiting from social welfare. This means that the decrease in the number of students benefiting from social welfare is greater than the demographic decline. However, instead of reducing support for School Social Welfare, we have increased it by 42.8%. As a result, support per student has grown by 60.3% since 2020. The PSD/CDS-PP/PPM Government has hired more than 900 teachers, even with a decrease of about 4,500 students in schools. "This was our decision at the beginning of our term, but it has an impact every year," acknowledged Sofia Ribeiro. She added that, for the salaries of the education staff, whether they are teachers or non-teaching workers, and for their necessary and fair progression, the Education Budget has an additional allocation of €10 million compared to 2025." "Since 2020, about 600 more education workers have been hired by schools, including about 500 operational assistants. In the 2019/2020 school year, the ratio of operational assistants stood at one for every 27 students; today it stands at one for every 21 students. The Education Plan and Budget for 2026 aims to continue to promote these workers and their careers," she added. In the "Digital Schools" project, there is "a good implementation, also reflected" in the proposed Investment Plan. "Since the beginning of this project, we have managed to secure an investment of €36.5 million in the Region's school establishments. This represents over 15,000 computers and tablets in schools, over 1,000 interactive panels and over 4,380 new internet points," she announced. Regarding culture, there is now" more money is actually being paid to cultural agents across the Region," with €1.7 million planned for 2026, and "the new support scheme for cultural activities, created by this Government, has received hundreds of applications." She added: "It is this new support scheme, and its applications, that this proposed Plan will address. This regulation has already streamlined the analysis of cases. The provisional list of eligible applications has already been published, and this week we will meet with the jury responsible for analysing and assessing applications, immediately beginning the assessment phase. However, the Government's investment in culture cannot be limited to support. It must ensure the vitality of our traditions and heritage, but it must also encourage creativity and production; it must promote knowledge and, effectively, encourage a plural, autonomous and independent culture." Regarding sport, Sofia Ribeiro stated that in the last sporting season for which data is available, 2023/2024, and throughout 2024, "a new historic high of 24,872 federated athletes was reached, spread across 42 sports." Moreover,  we have currently processed 100% of travel aid. We have complementary aid from contracts already signed for the current sporting season, thus "supporting the management of the 49 teams participating in annual competitions and in the Azores Football Championship. We are meeting the needs of the respective entities, especially in terms of predictability." "Both the sports and culture sectors benefit from the very positive effect of this Government's commitment to the 'Azores Fare' and tax reductions, as these automatically reduce the direct costs borne by institutions. This Government not only directly boosts various forms of support, but also indirectly supports these comprehensive measures, which are part of a broader effort to support all Azoreans," concluded the Regional Secretary. Related press release: Speech by the Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport

Intervenção
November 24, 2025
Speech by the Regional Secretariat for Education, Culture and Sport
Full text of the speech delivered today by Sofia Ribeiro, Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport, in Horta, during the discussion of the Plan and Budget for 2026: “The proposed budget for the Regional Secretariat for Education, Culture and Sport amounts to approximately €405 million. We propose the consistency and consolidation of the work carried out, which has ensured the evolution and growth of the Region and support for families, also achieved through the job stability of workers in Education, Culture and Sport. Within this framework, and in view of the commitments and priorities assumed from the outset by this coalition government, we present the possible Investment Plan for 2026. The Azores Education Strategy 2030 established as a priority the alignment of the Azores' results with those of the rest of the country. This is our focus, and this is reflected in this proposed Budget and Investment Plan. A few days ago, we received the results of a study conducted by the Ministry of Education showing that Azorean students had the best results in 9th-grade math since 2012. We are very proud of this result, which reflects the commitment, taken since the beginning of this Government, to investing in educational projects focused on the success of each student. We are also proud of our students' results in recent National Exams. In 2025, the Azores scored higher than the national average in eight subjects. The Investment Plan for 2026 does not overlook the historic decline in the early dropout rate from education and training, and continues to focus on closing the gap with the rest of the country. Today, we have the lowest rate ever recorded in the Azores. However, this proposal for investment in education also focuses on direct action for families, and social support continues to be the Plan's largest item of expenditure. We are talking about 14 million Euros for Social Welfare in schools. With the support allocated by this Government to all Azoreans over the last few years, we have managed to reduce the number of students in need of support and increase aid for students with greater difficulties. If not, then let us take a look: since 2020, we have 10.9% fewer students in schools overall, and 17.4% fewer students benefiting from social welfare. This means that the decrease in the number of students benefiting from social welfare is greater than the demographic decline. However, instead of reducing support for School Social Welfare, we have increased it by 42.8%. As a result, support per student has grown by 60.3% since 2020. However, support for students is also recognised in this investment proposal with a strategy focused on human resources in schools. This coalition Government has hired more than 900 teachers, even with a decrease of about 4,500 students in those same schools. This was our decision at the beginning of our term, but it has an impact every year. For the salaries of education staff, whether they are teachers or non-teaching workers, and for their necessary and fair progression, the Education Budget has an additional allocation of €10 million compared to 2025. Since 2020, about 600 more education workers have been hired by schools, including about 500 operational assistants. In the 2019/2020 school year, the ratio of operational assistants stood at one for every 27 students; today it stands at one for every 21 students. The Education Plan and Budget for 2026 aims to continue to promote these workers and their careers. As part of the Digital Schools project, this government department is proud to present a successful implementation, which is also reflected in this proposed Investment Plan. Only good implementation can justify that, for 2026, the amount allocated to complete the project with funds from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) is less than 10% of the total project. Since the beginning of this project, we have managed to secure an investment of €36.5 million in the Region's school establishments. This represents over 15,000 computers and tablets in schools, over 1,000 interactive panels and over 4,380 new internet points. In culture, we have new old challenges. But this Government can claim that it has not only increased proposals for support to cultural agents, but has also increased the implementation of that support. The documents are public. Today, more money is actually being paid to cultural agents across the Region. In 2019, support amounting to just over one million Euros was paid out; in 2024, the last year completed in terms of payments made, the amount totalled one and a half million. As of today, we already have around 1.7 million allocated in 2025. The figures have helped us to make good decisions. Therefore, we have decided to maintain the priority of support for cultural agents. By 2026, we will have about 1.7 million Euros to support cultural activities in the Azores. The new support scheme for cultural activities, created by this Government, has received hundreds of applications. It is this new support scheme, and its applications, that this proposed Plan will address. This regulation has already streamlined the analysis of cases. The provisional list of eligible applications has already been published, and this week we will meet with the jury responsible for analysing and assessing applications, immediately beginning the assessment phase. However, the Government's investment in culture cannot be limited to support. It must ensure the vitality of our traditions and heritage, but it must also encourage creativity and production; it must promote knowledge and, effectively, encourage a plural, autonomous and independent culture. With this focus, we have introduced an added challenge for our museums and libraries. We have increased their use of EU funds. We are talking about approximately €2.5 million available to increase the accessibility and attractiveness of our cultural promotion services. As for sport, we have currently processed 100% of travel aid. We have complementary aid from contracts already signed for the current sporting season, thus supporting the management of the 49 teams participating in annual competitions and in the Azores Football Championship. We are meeting the needs of the respective entities, especially in terms of predictability. This is how we are moving forward to 2026 - focused on the commitments we have made and investing in the overall development of the sports system. For 2026, the support for youth sports, Youth Sports Coordinators and Adapted Sports will continue. The focus remains on sporting excellence through Young Regional Talents and High Performance athletes, as well as the activity of clubs in all sports. In the last sporting season for which data is available, 2023/2024, and throughout 2024, a new historic high of 24,872 federated athletes was reached, spread across 42 sports. However, both the sports and culture sectors benefit from the very positive effect of this Government's commitment to the "Azores Fare" and tax reductions, as these automatically reduce the direct costs borne by institutions. This Government not only directly boosts various forms of support, but also indirectly supports these comprehensive measures, which are part of a broader effort to support all Azoreans. Let us conclude with the evolution of investments in recent years. In 2020, we started with a plan of 18.8 million Euros for education, which represented an investment of 515 Euros per student; for 2026, this figure is more than 30 million, with an investment of 929 Euros per student. This represents an increase of 81% per student. In Culture, we started 2020 with a plan totalling seven million Euros; today, we are presenting 8.2 million Euros for 2026. In Sport, we proposed 10.1 million Euros in 2020; now we are proposing an investment of 10.7 million Euros. In these three areas, there is always much to be done. You cannot do everything at once. Priorities must be set.  Ours are people.

Nota de Imprensa
November 24, 2025
President of the Government congratulates Jorge Rita on decoration bestowed by President of the Republic
The President of the Azorean Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, congratulated today the President of the Azores Agricultural Federation, Jorge Rita, on being decorated as Commander of the Order of Entrepreneurial Merit, in the Agricultural Merit category, bestowed by the President of the Republic. The head of the Azorean Government highlighted the distinction as "a well-deserved recognition, which honours the career, dedication and leadership that Jorge Rita has demonstrated throughout his professional life." Bestowed by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the Belém Palace in Lisbon, this decoration honours a figure who, for more than two decades, has played a decisive role in the agricultural association movement in the Azores and the country. José Manuel Bolieiro highlighted that “Jorge Rita is a leader who has made his mark through his hard work, his ability to engage in dialogue and the strategic vision with which he has defended Azorean farmers.” The President of the Government added that Jorge Rita “has been a competent and responsible voice, capable of building consensus and representing Azorean agriculture with prestige in multiple regional and national forums.” President of the São Miguel Agricultural Association and the Agricultural Union Cooperative since 2002, Jorge Rita has also headed the Azores Agricultural Federation since 2008. At the same time, he has taken on responsibilities at the national level, namely as vice-president of the Confederation of Portuguese Farmers (CAP). He also chairs the Regional Strategy Centre for Meat in the Azores (CERCA) and the General Assembly of the Portuguese Association of Friesian Breeders, among other important duties. “This distinction is, above all, recognition of a lifetime of dedication to the agricultural sector and its professionals. The Azores welcome this moment and are proud of the contribution that Jorge Rita has made, with dedication and competence, to the progress of regional agriculture,” concluded José Manuel Bolieiro.

Nota de Imprensa
November 24, 2025
Paulo Estêvão lists “tangible results” in migration, media, local government and space sector
The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, acknowledged today that 2026 will be an "extremely demanding" year as far as the budget is concerned. Nevertheless, all areas under his responsibility – which already have achieved "tangible results" – will be “improved” with "more and better work and more and better delivery." "There is no room for excuses, only for work and achievement. And this is what I can guarantee you: full dedication to the mission of serving the Azorean people," stated the government official. He spoke at the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, in Horta, on the first day of debate on the proposals for next year's Plan and Budget. In the area of migration, the government official recalled that immigrants represent 3.6% of the population of the Azores "and are essential to the regional economy." He continued: "Our policy is clear: humanism, integration, proximity and historical memory. Because we were — and continue to be — a people of emigrants." In this regard, the government official mentioned, among several measures, the reinforcement of RIAC offices and the services provided by AIMA and the Regional Directorate for the Communities in the context of immigrant regularisation, "in a joint effort to be carried out across all islands, with AIPA, CRESAÇOR and various partner entities." “What is regarded as a problem elsewhere is an opportunity here. And we will strengthen this policy in 2026. No Portuguese region has a larger diaspora than the Azores. Millions of Azorean descendants around the world maintain a living connection to our identity," he stressed. In the media field, and in a “time of manipulation, extremism and fake news,” the Government of the Azores “has done what it promised.” He explained: "The Government has done what it promised: the SIM Programme has more than doubled the support granted by Promedia; the newspaper subscription programme is finally in operation; the training of journalists has gone well and continues, with completely independent content; we have launched programmes to promote regional media and have managed to secure national support outside the regional budget." For the space sector, Paulo Estêvão defined 2026 and 2027 as "decisive years"when "the Azores will establish themselves in the space sector." He continued: "During 2026: first suborbital launches and, also in the short term, orbital launches. This will pave the way for the greater goal, the launch of satellites from Santa Maria. With an ESA programme amounting to about €15 million, including €3 million from the Azores, the Santa Maria Space Technology Centre will be built in 2027. This infrastructure will host the 'Space Rider' mission, the first European reusable transport system for access to space and return to Earth, which will land on European soil for the first time, this time in Santa Maria." Regarding matters about local government, “the 2026 Annual Regional Plan reiterates the Regional Government’s commitment” to this sector. "With a budget of €10.1 million, we directly invest in people, proximity and balanced development. We honour our commitments with transparency and fairness," he said, also recalling payments relating to tourist VAT from previous years and the launch of the "Portal for Cooperation with Local Authorities." Related press release: Speech by the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities

Intervenção
November 24, 2025
Speech by the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities
Full text of the speech delivered today by Paulo Estêvão, Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, in Horta, during the discussion of the Plan and Budget for 2026: "Let me begin this speech with an allegory. It is a brief — very brief — reflection on human nature and politics. In January 1650, in the far reaches of the Arabian Peninsula, in the fortress of Muscat, five hundred Portuguese soldiers were surrounded by a large Arab army. A Portuguese reinforcement column set off across the scorching Arabian desert — the last hope for those under siege. On the way, the commander and deputy commander crossed paths with the Genie of the Lamp. Impressed by the courage of the Portuguese column, the Genie decided to grant each of the two military leaders a wish. But on one condition: — The first to decide gets what he chooses; the second gets the same... but twice as much. The commander was a deeply hesitant man. The second-in-command was the most envious of men. Due to resentment and jealousy, the relationship between the two had always been difficult. The decision took a long time. Finally, as the cold desert night fell, the envious second-in-command filled his chest, looked at the Genie and shouted: — Take my eye out! And so it was that, led by a blind man and a one-eyed man, the Portuguese column got lost in the desert. The fortress of Muscat fell on January 23, 1650. This was the story of a hesitant man and an envious man. The desert did not defeat them. Hesitation and envy did. I bring up this story because we, too, today, face decisions that require clarity, courage and a sense of responsibility — here, at this House and in this Region. Times are tough for immigrants. Discrimination is on the rise in Europe and also in our country. But in the Azores, we are following a different path: one of inclusion and responsibility. Immigrants represent 3.6% of our population and are essential to the regional economy. Our policy is clear: Humanism, integration, proximity and historical memory. Because we were — and continue to be — a people of emigrants. The Regional Government has achieved tangible results, and here are some examples: The reinforcement of RIAC offices and the services provided by AIMA and the Regional Directorate for the Communities in the context of immigrant regularisation, in a joint effort to be carried out across all islands, with AIPA, CRESAÇOR and various partner entities; the integration of immigrants' children into the education system and the promotion of language training and rapid labour market integration. What is regarded as a problem elsewhere is an opportunity here. And we will strengthen this policy in 2026. No Portuguese region has a larger diaspora than the Azores. Millions of Azorean descendants around the world maintain a living connection to our identity. Never before has the Government of the Azores been so close to the communities: we have created four new Houses of the Azores (there are now 20); we have trained new community leaders; we support and collaborate with a vast social network managed by Azoreans; we promote culture, partnerships and institutional presence. We will step up this work, as our diaspora is about development, economic diplomacy, affection, and the future. We live in a time of manipulation, extremism, and fake news. There is only one answer: professional and mediated information. The Government has done what it promised: the SIM Programme has more than doubled the support granted by Promedia; the newspaper subscription programme is finally in operation; the training of journalists has gone well and continues, with completely independent content; we have launched programmes to promote regional media and have managed to secure national support outside the regional budget. We will continue on this path of press freedom and defence of the Azorean media. Space - 2026 and 2027 will be decisive years. The Azores will establish themselves in the space sector. During 2026: first suborbital launches and, also in the short term, orbital launches. This will pave the way for the greater goal, the launch of satellites from Santa Maria. With an ESA programme amounting to about €15 million, including €3 million from the Azores, the Santa Maria Space Technology Centre will be built in 2027. This infrastructure will host the "Space Rider" mission, the first European reusable transport system for access to space and return to Earth, which will land on European soil for the first time, this time in Santa Maria. The aim is to begin receiving all return missions in European space. They say that history does not repeat itself, and that is true. Partially. Since the 16th century, the Azores, due to the favourable winds found here by ships from India or Brazil, have become essential for return operations to the European space by sea. Now we will play the same role as before, but applied to space. We will ensure our autonomy in this area. We will invest in infrastructure for space and ensure the training of skilled labour in the space sector in the Azores, through collaboration with the University of the Azores. International competition is there, and soon more national projects will emerge, aspiring to take our place, particularly in the Tagus Valley, the Central Region, and the north of the country. It is up to us to defend the autonomy of the Azores space project and boost our competitive advantages. We cannot live solely on the geographical advantages we have. The 2026 Annual Regional Plan reiterates the Regional Government's commitment to local power. With a budget of €10,140,352, we directly invest in people, proximity and balanced development. We honour our commitments with transparency and fairness. I highlight: the paymentof the 2020–2022 Tourist VAT (€3,350,135.00) in 2025; the commitment to transfer, in the first quarter of 2026, €1,136,335.00 relating to 2023; €8,925,587.00 for Technical and Financial Cooperation, including €8,668,812.00 for the Parish Development Fund; the strengthening of Collaboration and Coordination Agreements in 2026 and the launch of the “Portal for Cooperation with Local Authorities” — a step forward in transparency and modernity in institutional relations. This is an extremely demanding year. The priority is to implement the RRP. Everything else must also be done, and will be done and improved. With less money, which will have to be compensated for with even more and better work. More and better delivery. With even more and better capacity to do much with less. There is no room for excuses, only for work and achievement. And this is what I can guarantee you: full dedication to the mission of serving the Azorean people. Long live the Azores!