Agreement with AIMA is "historic moment" in Azores' capacity to welcome immigrants, emphasises José Manuel Bolieiro - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, considered today that the agreement signed between the Government of the Azores  and the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) a "historic moment." Under the agreement, which will be implemented through the Integrated Citizen Support Network (RIAC), the integration of immigrants and various logistical and bureaucratic processes involving these citizens will be expedited.

"We are living at a time when migration is prevalent,  xenophobia is often discussed, and xenophilia is forgotten. We are on the side of xenophilia, accepting and facilitating integration," emphasised José Manuel Bolieiro.

The President of the Government spoke at the Conceição Palace in Ponta Delgada after chairing the 4th Consular Meeting of the Azores and signing a cooperation protocol between the Government of the Azores and AIMA.

Accompanying the President of the Government were the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, the Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade, the President of AIMA, Pedro Portugal Gaspar, and the President of RIAC, Carlos Mateus.

José Manuel Bolieiro highlighted the willingness of the institutions, which "instead of turning their backs," are working together. The Azores want to be a "good example’ that can help shape future agreements between AIMA and Portuguese municipalities or the other autonomous region of the country, Madeira.

The "respectful observance of human dignity" was also highlighted by the President of the Government, for whom this understanding evidences an "adaptation of institutions and their capacity" to the current reality of migratory flows.

The agreement, which is due to formally come into effect on October 1, aims to entrust RIAC with providing in-person services regarding administrative procedures under the jurisdiction of AIMA, specifically those concerning the granting and renewal of residence permits for immigrants residing or wishing to reside in the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

Under the terms of the document, RIAC undertakes, among other things, to make available 55 offices, distributed across the 19 municipalities of the nine islands of the Azores, and provide the human resources required to ensure that the minimum number of daily services established is carried out.

In turn, AIMA is responsible for creating and managing the information system and network services necessary for the electronic registration and transmission of acts performed in the context of public services, including the production of computer applications, the definition of equipment specifications, the definition of security policy, and support for the resolution of technical problems.

The Autonomous Region of the Azores intends to remain tolerant, diverse and open to the world. As such, the public administration can play a significant role in how it interacts with the immigrant population, ensuring dignity and inclusive conditions for integration.