José Manuel Bolieiro in Brussels at strategic meetings for future of the Azores - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, will travel to Brussels on February 19 and 20  for a series of meetings of strategic importance for the Autonomous Region of the Azores. During this visit, the head of the Azorean Government will address priority issues for the Region's development in the context of the European Union.

The negotiation of the next Multiannual Financial Framework will be one of the main topics of discussion, as it is essential to guarantee adequate funding for a cohesive and outermost region such as the Azores. Additionally, the importance of improving maritime and air transport, and digital connectivity through a more efficient and secure submarine cable network, will be addressed.

The need to reinforce the POSEI-AGRICULTURE budget is another highlight, given its past under-budgeting. The aim is to ensure that the programme keeps pace with developments in the agricultural sector in the Outermost Regions and continues to achieve its goals of supporting local producers.

José Manuel Bolieiro will also defend the need to create support mechanisms to help the Azores overcome the limitations imposed by its exclusion from the Trans-European Energy Network (TEN-E) and the Connecting Europe Mechanism (CEM). The aim is to reduce external dependence on fossil fuels and promote the Region's energy transition.

José Manuel Bolieiro's official agenda includes meetings with various EU personalities and entities.

On February 19, he will meet with the Heads of the Portuguese Delegation to the European Parliament, MEPs from the Azores and Madeira, the Portuguese Ambassador to the European Union, the Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Raffaele Fitto, and the Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union, Maria Luís Albuquerque. Later that day, he will take part in the Plenary Session of the Committee of the Regions.

On February 20, José Manuel Bolieiro will be present at the Solemn Transition Session of the Presidency of the Committee of the Regions at the European Parliament, a moment marking the end of Vasco Cordeiro's term and the election of the new President and Vice-President. Among those present will be the President of the European Council, António Costa.

The President of the Regional Government will meet with the Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, and take part in the conference "European Ocean Pact and Marine Protected Areas: the Case of the Azores" at the European Parliament. He will also have a working meeting with the President of the European Council, António Costa.

These meetings and gatherings reflect the importance of the Azores' presence in the European debate and the need to ensure that the Region's specificities are duly considered in European Union policies and funding.