Media and news Regional Government of the Azores - Communication

Nota de Imprensa
March 20, 2026
Mónica Seidi destaca reforço do investimento no acesso e prevenção à Saúde Oral
No âmbito do Dia Mundial da Saúde Oral, assinalado hoje, a Secretária Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social, Mónica Seidi, destaca o compromisso do Governo dos Açores com a promoção da saúde oral, através de medidas concretas que reforçam o acesso, a prevenção e a qualidade dos cuidados prestados à população açoriana. Entre os investimentos realizados, destaca-se a substituição de 12 cadeiras de medicina dentária nas Unidades de Saúde de Ilha, financiadas pelo Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência (PRR), abrangendo cinco unidades em São Miguel, três na Terceira, duas no Faial, uma em São Jorge e uma nas Flores, num investimento global de cerca de 350 mil euros. Também no reforço do acesso aos cuidados, o programa Cheque-Dentista tem vindo a demonstrar resultados encorajadores. Desde o seu início, em outubro de 2025, foram já registados cerca de 134 pedidos de adesão, dos quais 115 na ilha de São Miguel e 19 na ilha de São Jorge. Esta medida permite aos utentes aceder a tratamentos junto de prestadores aderentes, suportando apenas 5% do valor total, representando um passo importante na promoção da equidade no acesso à saúde oral em toda a Região. No domínio da prevenção, a SRSSS salienta os excelentes resultados do Programa de Intervenção no Cancro Oral (PICCOA), coordenado pelo Centro de Oncologia dos Açores, que visa a deteção precoce de lesões pré-malignas e malignas da cavidade oral. O programa inclui rastreios anuais dirigidos a grupos etários específicos, consultas de casos referenciados e a distribuição do Boletim Individual de Saúde Oral (BISO 40+), reforçando a vigilância e o encaminhamento atempado para tratamento especializado. No acumulado da segunda volta do programa PICCOA (2022-2026), registam-se já 36.354 rastreios, com uma taxa de participação de 29,3%, superando os resultados da primeira volta (2017-2021). Para assinalar o Dia Mundial da Saúde Oral, decorrem diversas iniciativas em várias Unidades de Saúde de Ilha. A título de exemplo, na Unidade de Saúde de Ilha de São Miguel, irão decorrer exposições informativas, sessões de educação para a saúde, rastreios e ações junto da comunidade escolar. Entre as atividades, incluem-se também ações nos diversos Centros de Saúde, promovendo a literacia em saúde oral em diferentes faixas etárias. A Secretária Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social sublinha que “este é um caminho que continuará a ser reforçado, com foco na prevenção, no acesso universal e na valorização dos profissionais, garantindo melhores níveis de saúde oral para todos os açorianos, sem esquecer o compromisso do Governo de avançar já este ano para a criação da carreira do médico dentista no SRS”.

Nota de Imprensa
March 20, 2026
€1.3 million in funding allocated to culture
The Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport, Sofia Ribeiro, announced today the breakdown of cultural funding to be allocated to each artistic area under the Legal Support Scheme for Cultural Activities (RJAAC), totalling about €1.3 million. The Order published today specifies the amounts to be allocated across sectors such as the audiovisual sector, the performing and visual arts, heritage, publishing, and interdisciplinary events. According to the government official, the criteria stipulated for allocating these funds “were based on the amounts awarded to applications in the corresponding artistic sectors last year.” The document earmarks €1.164 million for cultural projects, based on annual or biennial programmes or initiatives, with a significant interest in the preservation, enhancement, promotion and dissemination of culture in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. It also stipulates €77,000 for the acquisition, refurbishment, improvement, extension or construction of infrastructures intended for cultural activities. It also allocates €16,000 for the acquisition and conservation of musical instruments, the purchase of uniforms, costumes and repertoire by cultural groups, and a further €15,000 for the costs of publishing cultural works. “This funding was allocated in amounts ranging from €500 to €50,000 per project, depending on the area of activity. This is the main amendment introduced by the new legislation,” stated Sofia Ribeiro. It should be noted that the new regulation was revised by the Regional Government in 2024, and this is the first time that funding has been allocated under the new regulation. According to the government official, cultural agents “now have 15 working days to change the tier they have applied for, if they so wish.” “As they are already aware of their assessment, and consequently of their position on the ranked list, they have a clear idea of the funding that will be allocated, a process which is automatic,” she emphasised. RJAAC remains the main source of support for cultural organisations. The Regional Secretariat for Education, Culture and Sport also provides funding under the Support Programme for Recreational and Philharmonic Societies (SOREFIL), exclusively for philharmonic societies, as well as for the restoration, conservation and promotion of the whaling heritage of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

Nota de Imprensa
March 20, 2026
Regional Government with three European projects approved for agricultural innovation and sustainability
The Azorean Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food, has seen three strategic innovation projects for regional agriculture approved by the European Parliament, focusing on crop diversification, the circular economy and animal welfare. For the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, “today is an important day for the Azores.” He emphasised that the approval of these initiatives “demonstrates that Azorean agriculture is a vibrant and innovative force that is essential for the sustainable development of the archipelago.” The three projects, representing an overall investment of around €1.6 million, aim to prepare the sector for new food and environmental requirements: As part of the efforts to promote agricultural innovation, the "AZOREAN COCOA" project has been launched. With a budget of €108,000 and an expected lifespan of 24 months, this pilot study will assess the agricultural and economic viability of growing cocoa (Theobroma cacao) in the Region. With the establishment of experimental plots on São Miguel and Terceira, soils, microclimates and costs will be analysed with the aim of paving the way for a new value-added agricultural sector linked to artisanal chocolate and agritourism. In the area of sustainability and the circular economy, the second phase of the “Bio Filtering” project is moving forward, focusing on the processing and reuse of slaughterhouse waste. Representing an estimated investment of €359,000, the initiative will use natural solutions (such as aquatic plants and accelerated vermicomposting) to transform organic waste into high-quality agricultural compost. The project, which can be replicated across the nine islands, is expected to reduce unprocessed organic waste by up to 5,000 tonnes per year by 2027. The third initiative, “CALF FRIENDLY - Happy Calves,” is aimed at dairy farms on the islands of Terceira and São Miguel. This project has a budget of €1.13 million for the 2026–2028 period. The initiative promotes the suckling of calves for up to three months, a single daily milking and the use of biodiverse pastures. It also provides for the creation of Environmental Credits to offset producers and the awarding of the European “Calf Friendly” label. António Ventura noted that these projects represent a clear “European recognition of the diversification of food production” in the Azores, making a direct contribution “to carbon negativity, soil sustainability, zero waste and a circular economy.” The respective documents will now be submitted to the European Commission, where the technical and financial assessment phase will take place. The submission of these proposals to the European Parliament stemmed from the close institutional cooperation with the MEP for the Azores, Paulo do Nascimento Cabral. According to the Regional Secretary for Agriculture, “this proactive approach between the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food and MEP Paulo Nascimento Cabral has resulted in a direct benefit for the Azorean people.” It will ensure a path for the sector that is “consumer-focused, more resilient and diversified, and aligned with the environmental challenges of the 21st century.”

Nota de Imprensa
March 20, 2026
Regional Government reduces Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products
The Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration, Duarte Freitas, announced at the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores that the Regional Government will proceed with a reduction in the Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products (ISP) to curb fuel price rises in the Region. The measure is expected to be reflected in the next price update in April and comes against a backdrop of significant instability in international markets, exacerbated by the conflict in the Middle East. The government official explained that the aim is to “curb the rise in fuel prices” and ease the pressure on Azorean households and businesses. In addition to this decision, Duarte Freitas acknowledged that the Government is keeping a close eye on interest rate trends and has not ruled out the possibility of reactivating the Credithab programme. In this regard, he stated that he is “considering the possibility of reactivating” this support mechanism should there be abnormal increases, as a measure aimed at helping families who are finding it particularly difficult to meet their housing costs. Regarding the cost of living, the Regional Government will also step up the monitoring of prices for essential goods. Such monitoring, which had been carried out on a quarterly basis, will now return to a monthly schedule. According to the Regional Secretary, this change will ensure a “swifter response to any abnormal fluctuations” in prices, particularly at a time marked by energy market volatility.

Nota de Imprensa
March 20, 2026
Paulo Estêvão opens “Azores Square” and “Azorean Museum” in São Luís do Maranhão during official visit to Brazil
The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, will be making an official visit to Brazil (the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Maranhão) in the coming days, during the year marking the 50th anniversary of the Azores’ autonomy. The highlight of the visit will take place on Monday, March 23, in the city of São Luís (Maranhão), where the Azorean government official and the Governor of the State of Maranhão will preside over the official opening of the "Azores Square" and the "Azorean Museum." This ceremony marks a historic milestone in the preservation and promotion of the Azorean cultural heritage in the northeastern region of Brazil. The Azorean delegation, which also includes the Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade, and the researcher and university lecturer Susana Goulart Costa, will begin the official programme on Saturday,  March 21, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. On Saturday afternoon, the Regional Secretary will visit the House of the Azoresa of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, in Gravataí, and will also attend the dinner marking the institution’s 23rd anniversary. While still in Rio Grande do Sul, the delegation will take part in a formal ceremony, scheduled for 6 p.m. local time, at the Teatro da Santa Casa in Porto Alegre – the largest city in the world founded by Azoreans. The event, part of the "Porto Alegre Week," will feature the launch of the book "Açores: Nove Ilhas, Nove Histórias," written by Susana Goulart Costa and published by the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities in partnership with the local House of the Azores.  On Sunday, the delegation will travel to the state of Maranhão, where it will have a busy schedule of institutional and cultural engagements on Monday. Before the opening ceremonies scheduled for Monday afternoon, Paulo Estêvão will pay a courtesy visit to the former President of the Republic of Brazil, José Sarney. On Monday morning, the programme includes an academic presentation of the book "Açores: Nove Ilhas, Nove Histórias" to students enrolled in the History Programme at the State University of Maranhão in São Luís, featuring speeches by the Regional Director for the Communities, the book's author and the Regional Secretary.

Nota de Imprensa
March 19, 2026
RRP target met with training provided for over 2,500 members of households receiving social support
The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, visited the Valorizar Network premises in Angra do Heroísmo to deliver certificates of attendance for training courses aimed at members of households receiving social support. “Empowering people is one of the cornerstones of the Regional Government’s work. These training courses provide participants with tools that boost their independence, confidence and prospects for entering the workforce,” emphasised Mónica Seidi. The initiative marked the fulfilment of one of the targets set out in the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) for the Autonomous Region of the Azores: “Training for members of households receiving social support,” included in investment C03-i04-RAA. It was implemented by the Regional Directorate for the Promotion of Equality and Social Inclusion (DRPIIS), representing an overall investment of €1.25 million, funded under the RRP. As part of this initiative, a range of training programmes has been developed across various islands of the archipelago. These are still ongoing, largely due to the training role played by the Valorizar Network and the referral of participants by the Training and Employment Centre. The contents focused on areas such as the development of psychosocial skills, family and financial management, domestic literacy, career guidance, job-seeking techniques and the promotion of personal independence. So far, around 450 training sessions have been held, resulting in the issuance of nearly 4,000 certificates of attendance, covering more than 2,500 members of households benefitting from social support. In supporting and empowering these families, the approaches taken by the Institute for Social Security of the Azores (ISSA) and DRPIIS play a complementary role in promoting self-reliance and breaking the cycle of poverty, with DRPIIS focusing primarily on social and relational aspects, whilst ISSA focuses on economic and financial aspects. For the Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, these initiatives represent “an essential tool for empowering families, boosting their independence and breaking cycles of social vulnerability,” whilst also helping to reduce the number of people receiving social benefits and lower the risk of poverty in the Region.

Comunicado
March 18, 2026
Communiqué from the Council of the Government
The Government of the Council, which met on March 18, 2026, decided to adopt the following measures: 1. Approve a Resolution guiding the Board of Directors of SATA Holding, S.A., to initiate a new direct negotiation procedure with a view to selling the majority of the share capital of SATA Internacional – Azores Airlines, S.A., in accordance with the law and in compliance with the obligations undertaken under the SATA Group Restructuring Plan. The divestment procedure initiated in 2023, pursuant to Government Council Resolution No. 5/2023, did not result in an award, in light of the conclusions set out in the final report of the public tender panel, with the latter identifying significant shortcomings in light of the defined criteria and established strategic objectives; therefore, no decision compatible with the regional public interest could be reached under these circumstances.  In the course of this procedure, the Special Committee for Monitoring the divestment process prepared and submitted its final activity report, reaching a conclusion that the tender procedure was conducted in accordance with the tender specifications and in full compliance with the principles of legality, transparency, rigour, impartiality and objectivity.  The new procedure now established clearly maintains the requirement to include, in the relevant tender specifications to be submitted for approval by the Council of the Government, clauses intended to: - Safeguarding the strategic interests of the Autonomous Region of the Azores;  - Safeguarding workers’ rights and existing employment commitments;  - Ensure the continuity of essential air routes and service to the Region and the Azorean diaspora.  With a view to improving control and monitoring mechanisms, the disposal procedure overseen by the Board of Directors of the SATA Holding Company will be monitored by an independent supervisor. We can confirm that Professor Augusto Mateus has been invited and has accepted the position of Supervisor. A Special Monitoring Committee will also be appointed, comprising Professor João Carlos Teixeira, who will chair the committee, Professor Teresa Tiago and Dr António Maio.  Meanwhile, the drafting and implementation of the corruption risk prevention plan will be promoted, as required by law, with compliance being mandatory for all parties involved in the procedure, thereby reinforcing the principles of integrity, transparency and good governance.  The adoption of direct negotiation procedures is intended to ensure greater efficiency and speed in the process, given the need to meet the European Commission's deadline for implementing the measures under SATA’s Restructuring Plan, which has now been extended until December 31, 2026.  The Council of the Government reiterates that the decision now taken follows a responsible assessment of the experience acquired during the previous procedure and represents an adjustment to the model adopted, the aim being to ensure that the process is completed within the established deadlines, whilst safeguarding the regional public interest and ensuring the airline’s future sustainability with full transparency. 2. Proposed Resolution authorising the signing of a programme contract between the Autonomous Region of the Azores and Teatro Micaelense – Centro Cultural e de Congressos, S.A., with a view to developing cultural activity through the implementation of the approved programme of events, up to a maximum amount of €850,000.00, for 2026.  The Resolution delegates to the Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration and the Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport the necessary powers to, on behalf of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, award the programme contract between the Autonomous Region of the Azores and Teatro Micaelense – Cultural and Congress Centre, S.A., with a view to developing cultural activities through the implementation of the approved programme of events.

Nota de Imprensa
March 18, 2026
Lajes Air Base "must also serve the development of the Azores and the future of Portugal,” stresses Artur Lima
The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, spoke today at the Regional Legislative Assembly of the Azores, where he emphasised that “Lajes Air Base must continue to serve international security, but it must also serve the development of the Azores and the future of Portugal.” For the Vice-President, Lajes Air Base “has been one of the fundamental pillars of the Euro-Atlantic security framework and the maintenance of peace in Europe and around the world.” The location of the Azores, “at the crossroads of air and maritime routes between Europe and America, has made Lajes a key logistics hub for military operations, maritime surveillance, communications, strategic transport and support for NATO forces,” he noted. “There is an undeniable geographical reality. The Azores, whilst being Europe’s westernmost border, are the heart of the Atlantic,” emphasised Artur Lima. The Vice-President of the Government recalled that “the Region shares centuries-old relations with the USA, a past and present shaped not only by the diaspora, but also by shared values and perspectives on many of the major global issues.” Lajes Air Base, “a key element in successive negotiations between Portugal and the USA, has taken on and continues to take on particular significance in this context, leaving an enduring mark on the history of the Azores in general and Terceira in particular,” he noted. Artur Lima maintained that “in each of these negotiations, the Region has lost out on fair and due compensation, perhaps unnoticed by the National Government,” adding that “it is undeniable that successive governments have systematically failed to defend the interests of the Azores.” “The downsizing of the U.S. presence did not mean a downsizing of its geostrategic importance,” he declared. However, “staff cuts cannot be reduced merely to an operational decision,” as they have had “profound economic, social and strategic consequences” for “a regional economy that has been part of an Atlantic strategic framework for decades,” he pointed out. In this regard, “the National Government could not, and cannot, simply stand by and watch,” he said. During the debate, which he considered to reveal “a complete lack of strategic sense and timeliness” on the part of its proponents, the Vice-President of the Government dismissed the revision of the Cooperation and Defence Agreement in the current international context as “imprudent.” Regarding the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD), he recalled that, in 2008, following a proposal by the CDS party, the Ad Hoc Committee for the Evaluation of the Real Impact of the Cooperation and Defence Agreement between the Portuguese Republic and the United States of America on the Autonomous Region of the Azores recommended the establishment of a branch office in the Azores, preferably on the island of Terceira. Artur Lima also reiterated that “FLAD, arising from the 1983 bilateral agreement, exists because of the Azores and Lajes Air Base; this is a historical fact.” Therefore, he called for FLAD “to collaborate genuinely with the Azores, and with its research and innovation ecosystem, just as it has done in the past.”  Portugal “is an Atlantic nation with strategic depth, and the Azores are the cornerstone of this geopolitical positioning,” he emphasised. In this context, “the Lajes Air Base, located in the Azores, must continue to serve international security, but it must also serve the development of the Azores and the future of Portugal,” he pointed out.  The Vice-President concluded by stressing that “Autonomy is not an abstract concept; it is exercised here, at the heart of the Atlantic. May the future of Lajes be written in the spirit of progress for our Autonomous Region and with the guarantee that the well-being of our people takes precedence over any national convenience.”