Vice-President of the Government calls for collaboration from FLAD - Communication

Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional

The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, chaired the opening session of the S3 SUMMIT: Smart Specialisation Strategy initiative on Wednesday, which runs in Ponta Delgada until Friday.

Organised by the Regional Directorate for Science, Innovation and Development, the event aims to promote and explore the Smart Specialisation Strategy in the Autonomous Region of the Azores (RSI3).

"In the Azores, as in the rest of the world, science and technology are key to its development," stated Artur Lima.

"Based on regional uniqueness," the Regional Government “is leveraging not only the competitive advantages” of the Region but also “development in areas with increased and strategic potential,” he continued.

For the Vice-President of the Government, research and innovation play a crucial role in responding to Europe's current challenges.

In this regard, the success of regional strategies requires "that the European Union's multilevel governance system continue to prioritise solutions designed at a local level," he warned.

"This is the path that allows us to enhance our capabilities and strengths while reducing identified vulnerabilities," emphasised Artur Lima.

The geographical position of the Azores "should be given strategic consideration by the European Union in the ongoing redefinition of new priorities," defended the Vice-President of the Government.

The asymmetries of the outermost regions are the starting point for "creating new paths that mark our position as a key Region for strategic investment in the Atlantic," he said. 

The Azores' path is recognised at a European level. In 2024, the Region was recognised for its active role in regional innovation and was selected as a Regional Innovation Valley by the European Commission. 

This was followed by an invitation from the Joint Research Centre of the same institution to join the European Preparatory Action for Transformative Innovation, and the approval of a European Deep Sea Observatory in the Azores by the European Parliament.

"The Azores have a presence in the European market of ideas," pointed out Artur Lima.

The regional strategy values technology and science parks, where "innovative projects with added value for the economy are created and developed," stated the Vice-President. 

At the same time, the Government is also investing in the  "Azoreans seeking to innovate through research" by awarding doctoral grants, updating the amounts by around 10%, he stressed.

The Vice-President highlighted the "clear commitment to the internationalisation of the University of the Azores," with support for its tripolar development increasing from 350 thousand to 950 thousand Euros.

As for projects, the Regional Government "has already invested about five and a half million euros," with more than five million Euros still awaiting pre-approval under the AÇORES2030 programme, he pointed out.

During his speech, Artur Lima also reiterated the importance of foreign investment in Azorean academia, through national or international institutions. 

"FLAD is one of these institutions, which believes it provides a great service to the Azores. Nothing could be further from the truth." The Vice-President pointed out that FLAD "can and should collaborate, not help, but collaborate." This institution "exists because of the Lajes Base Agreement. And anyone who says that FLAD exists because of the Azores is either being malicious or acting in bad faith." This is “a wealthy institution that should invest in the Azores and, in particular, in their university.” This is “its duty and obligation,” emphasised the Vice-President. 

On Wednesday afternoon, the Strategic Specialisation Council met, bringing together representatives from the Regional Government of the Azores, academia, and entities from the regional innovation ecosystem. The meeting was attended by the European Commission Representative in Portugal, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, who presented conclusions of regional relevance on the Draghi Report and the EU Competitiveness Compass.