Media and news Regional Government of the Azores - Communication

Nota de Imprensa
April 24, 2024
Cooperação entre regiões insulares é decisiva para enfrentar desafios comuns, afirma Artur Lima
O Vice-Presidente do Governo Regional dos Açores, Artur Lima, destacou hoje, em Ponta Delgada, a importância da “cooperação entre as regiões insulares” para “aprofundar posições comuns junto das instituições europeias”. “Juntos, podemos enfrentar desafios comuns e construir um futuro mais sustentável e próspero para as nossas comunidades insulares”, reiterou. Referindo-se à Comissão das Ilhas da Conferência das Regiões Periféricas e Marítimas (CPRM), o governante insistiu que é “crucial aproveitar este tipo de fóruns para defender as respostas a nível europeu que as Regiões Ultraperiféricas precisam”. “Não podemos desperdiçar a oportunidade de reivindicar o que é justo. Para tal, devemos trabalhar em conjunto para assegurar que as nossas vozes sejam ouvidas a nível europeu e para que os nossos interesses sejam defendidos”, afirmou. E continuou: “as ilhas são parte integrante da Europa. Não são uma parte menor, pelo que merecem reconhecimento e acompanhamento para que tenham as mesmas oportunidades de desenvolvimento”. Artur Lima falava na sessão de encerramento da 43.ª Assembleia-Geral da Comissão das Ilhas da CRPM, realizada no Teatro Micaelense e que contou com a presença do Presidente da CRPM, Loïg Chesnais-Girard. A Declaração Final desta Assembleia Geral apresentou considerações fundamentais sobre as principais prioridades e preocupações dos membros desta Comissão, que devem, segundo o Vice-Presidente do Governo, “ser devidamente abordadas pelas instituições comunitárias nos próximos anos, de forma a alinhar plenamente as políticas da UE com as perspetivas das ilhas nos diversos domínios”. “É muito importante a conclusão desta Assembleia Geral no que respeita à Coesão, onde se pede um compromisso reforçado das instituições da UE com os princípios da governação, da parceria e da solidariedade a vários níveis no futuro da Política de Coesão”, realçou. Na Declaração Final constam ainda posições comuns sobre a conetividade digital, a mobilidade de pessoas e bens, a transição energética, os assuntos marítimos ou a sustentabilidade ambiental. Nesta reunião, participaram cerca de meia centena de membros de onze regiões insulares de países como Portugal (Açores e Madeira), Espanha (Canárias e Baleares), França (Bretanha, Córsega, Guadalupe e Reunião), Malta (Gozo), Estónia (Saarema) e Suécia (Gotlândia).

Nota de Imprensa
April 24, 2024
Berta Cabral welcomes suspension of strike at Atlânticoline
The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, welcomed today the suspension of the strike by Atlânticoline workers, which had been going on since March 7 and had been called by the Union of Merchant Marine Workers, Travel Agencies, Freight Forwarders and Fisheries (SIMAMEVIP). For the government official, the strike cancellation "is due to dialogue and agreement." It results from a conciliation meeting, mediated by the Directorate of Labour Services, between Atlânticoline and the said union, with the active participation of the Regional Directorate for Mobility. "I am pleased with the understanding that has now been reached, which also reflects the operational reality of Atlânticoline in a responsible manner," she noted. Berta Cabral also emphasised the importance of the resumption of regular Atlânticoline operations for the economy and territorial cohesion, the movement of people and goods, and the service provided to tourists visiting the Azores.

Nota de Imprensa
April 23, 2024
Islands Commission of the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions approves declaration urging greater inclusion
The Islands Commission of the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions (CPMR), meeting in Ponta Delgada, approved today the final declaration of its work. The document was presented by the President of the Regional Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro, who recalled the "geostrategic importance" of these territories, urging inclusion to European institutions. At a session held at the Teatro Micaelense, which included CPMR President Loïg Chesnais-Girard, José Manuel Bolieiro recalled that the islands should be regarded as "laboratories of the future with the capacity to innovate," based on cohesion policies and the "relevant importance of the sea." "There has to be a recognition not only of the constraints associated with remoteness that remain but also of the opportunities that the islands offer to the world and European politics," the President of the Government added, speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the session. "Because there is still much to be done and because I am determined, as President of the Government of the Azores, to contribute to the success of this work with dedication, today I want to convey my willingness to provide greater impetus for the affirmation of the Islands Commission with the institutions that we identify as essential for the just accomplishment of our common cause," the President had said earlier, addressing the delegations present. The 43rd General Assembly of the Islands Commission of the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions (CPMR) runs until Wednesday. The closing session will be chaired by the Vice-President of the Regional Government of the Azores, Artur Lima. The programme includes several sessions dedicated to maritime affairs, energy, transport, the environment and climate, and a session on the future of the European Union's islands after the next European elections. About fifty members from eleven island regions from countries such as Portugal (Azores and Madeira), Spain (Canary Islands and Balearic Islands), France (Brittany, Corsica, Guadeloupe and Réunion), Malta (Gozo), Estonia (Saarema) and Sweden (Gotland) are taking part in this meeting. The event is also being attended by representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions and the Council of the European Union, namely those representing its Belgian presidency, and representatives of associations linked to the different realities of the islands. The Islands Commission is one of the six geographical commissions of the CPMR, encompassing 19 European island regional authorities located in the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. This body seeks to encourage European institutions and member states to pay special attention to islands, recognise the permanent disadvantages and vulnerabilities arising from their remoteness and implement the policies best suited to their specific characteristics. 

Nota de Imprensa
April 23, 2024
Regional Government raises young people's awareness of "opportunities and advantages" of more than 40 courses available at Vocational Schools
The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, stated today that a total of 48 new level 4 vocational courses (12th grade and Vocational Certification) are available for the 2024/2025 school year at the Region's 16 vocational schools, four more than in the previous school year. It is the largest offer ever, which could cover 1,072 new students. The new courses fall into 20 professional areas, such as Tourism and Leisure; Hospitality and Restaurants; Green Economy and Blue Economy; Food Industries; Electronics and Automation; Health; Social Work and Guidance; Sport; or Accounting and Taxation, reflecting an adaptation to the needs of the Region's business fabric and the interests of young people. Maria João Carreiro spoke at a press conference in Ponta Delgada. The event was attended by the Regional Director for Vocational Training and Employment, Renato Medeiros; the President of the Board of the Association of Vocational Schools of the Azores (AEPA), Ana Paula Mendonça; and the Vice-President of the National Association of Vocational Schools (ANESPO), Domingos Borges. On the occasion, the government official expressed her "confidence in the growing participation of young Azoreans" in a "safe, necessary and future-orientated" educational path, which confers secondary education and vocational certification. She also pointed out that the Region has seen an increase in the number of new courses and new students at vocational schools "for two consecutive years." "Vocational Education in vocational schools is gaining increasing visibility in the Region," she noted, emphasising that "the number of vocational courses provided by vocational schools is double the number available in regular schools." Since the 2022/2023 school year, there have been 13 fewer courses in regular schools and nine more vocational courses in vocational schools. Maria João Carreiro also announced that the "Your First Choice" campaign will start in May. This initiative will raise young people's awareness of the vocational courses available for the 2024/2027 training cycle, "encouraging young people to choose an educational path that offers possibilities and advantages for a successful career," including young people who intend to pursue Higher Education. "Vocational Education at Vocational Schools provides all the conditions to be the First Choice of young Azoreans," she said, explaining that this promotional campaign will "complement" the actions that Vocational Schools are already carrying out to disseminate their courses. Welcoming the participation of representatives from AEPA and ANESPO at the press conference, the Regional Secretary for Vocational Training and Employment praised the "dialogue and cooperation" that the Azorean Government maintains with the Vocational Schools to "affirm the strategic importance of Vocational Education in Vocational Schools for the Region."

Nota de Imprensa
April 23, 2024
Applications for innovation and green and digital transition "far exceeded expectations," announces António Ventura
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food announced today that applications for the support scheme for innovation in products and production and organisational processes, the green transition and the digital transition, aimed at restructuring farms, under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), "far exceeded expectations," with 332 applications.  For António Ventura, this number of applications "is a clear reflection of the vitality and dynamics of Azorean agriculture in terms of productive innovation, the green and digital transition." "This means that agriculture is modernising and adjusting to new technologies as the basis for increased regional agricultural productivity," he stressed. The Secretary for Agriculture stated that the next phase will include "the detailed analysis of the respective applications based on the strategic goals defined for this call." It should be recalled that the three strategic goals of this call are the enhancement and diversification of agricultural production, with high standards of quality and sustainability; the green transition of the agricultural sector, through the pursuit of one or more of the six environmental targets set out in the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of a framework to promote sustainable investment and, finally, the digital transition of the agricultural sector, focusing, in particular, on the digitisation of the technical and economic management of farms and e-commerce. The RRP comprises the "Capitalisation and Business Innovation" component. It includes the investment "Economic Recovery of Azorean Agriculture," which aims to contribute to the resilience and sustainable growth of the regional production potential, mitigate the economic and social impact of the crisis on the agricultural and agrifood sector in the Azores, and contribute to the dual climate and digital transition in this sector. Applications for this support scheme, with a budget allocation of four million Euros, ran until March 31, were open to Individuals or legal entities engaged in agricultural production that meet the criteria set out in the respective call.

Nota de Imprensa
April 23, 2024
Azores must harness strategic value of Lajes Base, stresses Artur Lima
The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, defended on Monday in the town of Lajes that the Lajes Base "is not a museum piece" but rather a "rehabilitated asset for the country, the USA, Europe and NATO, which the Azores should make the most of for their regional and local development." "Let there be no doubt that we want to serve. However, we also want to be equally served with fair and well-deserved compensation for our geostrategic importance," he reiterated. Artur Lima spoke at the Recreio Lajense Society on the sidelines of a conference titled "Portugal is the Azores - the USA and the Azores in the Cold War (1945-1965)," delivered by Tácito Rolim, a professor at the State University of Ceará and a PhD in History. "The Azores, and Lajes in particular, have not ceased to be, and will never cease to be, a key asset for the Western defence and security policy," he stressed, pointing out that "geopolitics is not static and circumstances evolve and change." In his opening speech, the Vice-President of the Government recalled that the Lajes Base had brought the archipelago and Terceira Island "progress, development, employment and affirmation of the Region at world level," but had "consequences that need to be effectively solved." In this regard, Artur Lima highlighted the soil and aquifer contamination in Praia da Vitória, which has required "a demonstration of strength, firmness and dialogue so that the matter can be dealt with with the care it deserves." Nevertheless, Artur Lima stressed that " years of special relations with the USA" and "a friendly presence on Terceira Island" are "justifiable conditions for creating an interpretation centre that values this historical heritage." "The Lajes Base Interpretation Centre will have a component focused on heritage and culture. It also aims to be a space dedicated to research and the scientific production of new knowledge about the geostrategic role of the Region," he said. This initiative was organised as part of the study and work plan for the creation of the Lajes Base Interpretation Centre, developed in collaboration with the Historical Institute of Terceira Island (IHT). The scientific committee of the interpretation centre will be made up of António José Telo, professor of History at the Military Academy, Luís Andrade, professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of the Azores, and Tácito Rolim, speaker at the conference.

Nota de Imprensa
April 23, 2024
José Manuel Bolieiro wants to make the Azores a destination for literary residencies
The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, presented the book "Uma Varanda Sobre Tóquio" by David Lopes on Monday, adding that, under the author's initiative, the Nobel Prize for Literature winner Olga Tokarcsuck will be in the Azores next month for what is intended to be the first of several literary residencies. "From the beginning, inspired by this project of literary residencies, and with the first impulse and support of David Lopes, I am announcing firsthand that we will have the first and experimental literary residency in the Azores next month, featuring international writer, Nobel Prize winner Olga Tokarcsuck. This pioneering experience was launched by David Lopes and supported by the Praia da Vitória City Council," said the President of the Government. He continued: "What a joy this achievement is, which distinguishes the Azores and gives it worldwide prestige and visibility, namely among writers of the highest calibre who have won national and international prizes." The book "Uma Varanda Sobre Tóquio" was presented at the Letras Lavadas bookshop in Ponta Delgada. On the occasion, José Manuel Bolieiro recalled that the XIV Regional Government "is creating the so-called Book Voucher, amounting to 100 Euros, as an incentive to encourage the purchase of books, in paper format, for reading," stressing that this is "worth a birthday present for every young person who reaches 18." In addition, the President of the Government recalled the aim of increasingly turning the Azores, already an archipelago of writers, into an "archipelago of readers." "David Lopes' first trip to Japan was in 2019 for work purposes. Interestingly, it was exactly 130 years since the famous writer and naval officer Venceslau de Morais first arrived in Japan. For 40 years, until his death in 1929, Venceslau de Morais shared his intimate experiences of daily life in Japan with his Portuguese readers through the various books he published on subjects related to the Orient, especially Japan. With David Lopes, we not only have the privilege of reading his book, as with Venceslau de Morais, but we have the opportunity to have him here among us," praised José Manuel Bolieiro. David Lopes was chairman of Aeon Topvalu, a company belonging to Japan's Aeon Group. Previously, he was director and CEO of the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation and director of the Lisbon Oceanarium. He has a degree in Business Organisation and Management. He served for three years as international president of the American company Daymon Worldwide (a global company, leader in the development of food brands), where he was responsible for managing international joint ventures and developing business operations and expansion in Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. He is a founding member of the Portuguese Diaspora Council and the current entrepreneur of a public reading project (" The House of Letters") in a small Alentejo town. "I wanted to write this book because Japan was my most intense and different personal and professional experience. I wanted to write down a lot of what I discovered every day. At first, it was meant to be a memoir to share with friends and acquaintances. They told me that these portraits could go further and create a greater common interest among Portuguese and Japanese readers in a story that has a lot in common," says the author about "Uma Varanda Sobre Tóquio."

Nota de Imprensa
April 22, 2024
"Guide to Hiring Foreign Citizens in the Azores" approved, announces Paulo Estêvão
The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, announced today, after the first 2024 meeting of the Regional Advisory Council for Immigration Affairs (CCRAI), that the "Guide to Hiring Foreign Citizens in the Azores" has been approved. This a document containing "important information" for employers and future foreign employees in the Region. "It is a guide that will provide important information for anyone who wishes to reside in the Autonomous Region of the Azores and work here. Employers will also have a guide to everything they need to do," he said, speaking at the end of the meeting held at the Conceição Palace in Ponta Delgada. "People who come to the Azores must be welcomed with dignity," emphasised Paulo Estêvão. He added: "We regard immigration as a fundamental phenomenon to the Region's economic growth and we are keen to ensure this integration and provide good responses in our institutions, whether in social security, health or education." The CCRAI, which met today, aims to ensure the participation and collaboration of associations representing immigrants, social partners, social solidarity institutions and other organisations providing social and cultural support to immigrants in defining and coordinating policies for social integration and fighting exclusion. At the first meeting of this body chaired by Paulo Estêvão, the agenda also included presentations by the President of the  Azores Building Industry and Public Works Association (AICOPA), Alexandra Bragança, and the President of the Azores Office of the Association of Hospitality, Restaurants and Similar Services of Portugal, Cláudia Chaves. The meeting ended with a celebration of Luso-Brazilian Community Day, annually marked on April 22, with the testimonials from two Brazilian immigrants about their integration into Azorean society, namely Eleonora Marino Duarte, from Rio de Janeiro, and Ângela Fernandes, from São Paulo. Established in 2002, the CCRAI has as its main mission to collaborate in developing social integration policies for immigrants aimed at eliminating discrimination and promoting equal opportunities and participate in the definition of measures and actions contributing to the improvement of immigrants' living conditions and the defence of their rights.  With the fifth amendment to the Regional Implementing Decree no. 30/2002/A of November 22, through the Regional Implementing Decree no. 36/2023/A, the CCRAI is now made up of the regional directors for the Communities, Education, Social Solidarity, Employment and Vocational Training, Health, and the Promotion of Equality and Social Inclusion. It also includes representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Azores, AIPA - Association of Immigrants in the Azores, CRESAÇOR -   Regional Cooperative of Solidarity Economy/Migrant Support Office, ASIBA-Association of Brazilian Immigrants in the Azores, the Regional Union of Private Social Solidarity Institutions of the Azores, the Association of Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, the National Republican Guard, the Public Security Police, the Criminal Investigation Police and the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, I.P. The Azorean Government has implemented a policy aimed at developing initiatives and strategies to promote the full integration of immigrant citizens, acknowledging their active contribution to the enrichment of Azorean society in various areas.