"Azores play decisive role in maritime and Atlantic dimension of our country," says José Manuel Bolieiro - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, took part on Monday in the celebrations of the Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities, in Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island.

The celebrations focused on the role of the Azores in promoting a sustainable blue economy and preserving the oceans during a solemn session held at Solar da Madre de Deus, which followed a first celebration of Portugal Day in the city centre of Angra do Heroísmo.

At the session, the President of the Government highlighted the strategic importance of the Azores in Portugal's maritime dimension, emphasising the efforts of the Regional Government in the protection and sustainable development of the sea.

"Portugal is a state with one of the largest exclusive economic zones in the world and is a great oceanic country. The Azores play a decisive role in the maritime and Atlantic dimension of our country," he said.

José Manuel Bolieiro also highlighted the environmental challenges the oceans face, such as marine pollution, acidification, overfishing, climate change and the degradation of coastal ecosystems, pointing out that these problems affect not only marine life but also human life, as oceans play a crucial role in climate and the sustainability of many communities and economies.

"The destruction of the oceans will have devastating impacts on the Azorean economy, especially in sectors linked to the blue economy," he warned.

José Manuel Bolieiro also highlighted the Azorean Government's commitment to protecting marine resources through the Blue Azores Programme and the expansion of the Marine Protected Areas Network.

He was keen to recall that the Azores are leading this process "by example, based on solid scientific information and in close collaboration with sea users."

José Manuel Bolieiro also stressed the crucial importance of maritime spatial planning in the Azores, criticising the centralising position of Ruling 484/2022, which declared the rules of the law of the sea introduced in 2021 unconstitutional.

"The decision reveals a restrictive and centralist interpretation that does not correspond to the needs and realities of the Azores, which should be rejected and rectified," he stressed.

The President of the Government declared the urgency of joint management between the central and regional administrations to promote the Region's maritime interests, stressing the need for a constitutional revision or a change in judicial interpretation to guarantee a fair and efficient balance in the governance of the Azores' maritime resources.

The President of the Government ended his speech by emphasising the importance of the Azores for Portugal and Europe: "Portugal is more valuable in Europe with the Azores. And Europe, in the world, becomes more valuable with the Azores."

The solemn session, also attended by the Secretary of State for the Sea, Lídia Bulcão, also featured a panel on "The Azores and the Sea," chaired by Admiral António Silva Ribeiro, with João Gonçalves, pro-rector of the University of the Azores, Armando Rocha, professor at the Faculty of Law of the Catholic University, and Sílvia Tavares, project manager of the Oceano Azul Foundation, as guests.

The event also included the bestowal of decorations, which honoured João Pedro Barreiros, a researcher at the University of the Azores, photographer Nuno Sá and, posthumously, Serge Viallelle, all of whom were awarded the rank of Commander of the Order of Merit.