José Manuel Bolieiro demands European Commission be “first ally” of Outermost Regions - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, participated today in the plenary session of the Presidents of the Outermost Regions in Brussels, as part of the High-Level Outermost Regions Forum promoted by the European Commission. It was at this moment when the head of the Azorean Government clearly and assertively presented the Azores' vision for the future of the Outermost Regions and how the European Union should respond to their permanent specificities.

José Manuel Bolieiro placed Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union at the centre of the discussion, recalling that this remains the legal and political basis that compels the European Union to recognise and accommodate the specific characteristics of the Outermost Regions. He stressed that its full implementation "is not only sufficient, but necessary" to ensure that these regions are able to compete, grow and strengthen their role in the European project.

The President of the Regional Government also insisted that the principle of subsidiarity must be taken seriously. He defended that the Outermost Regions need to be involved from the outset in the European Union's legislative and decision-making processes, contributing to solutions that are truly effective and tailored to the reality of the islands.

The President lamented that, too often, these regions feel that they can only count on occasional support from European institutions, while firmly stating that the European Commission, as the “Government of the European Union,” should be the first ally of the Outermost Regions.

The President of the Government also highlighted several priority areas for the future of the Outermost Regions: starting with agriculture, restating the importance of POSEI and warning that its possible reduction or elimination would have particularly negative effects on the Azores, where production costs and dependence on imports remain high. He also advocated a specific framework for fisheries and aquaculture, through the creation of a POSEI-Fisheries,  to prevent these essential sectors from being diluted in multisectoral funds.

In terms of mobility, he highlighted the need to ensure accessibility and territorial continuity, defending the creation of a POSEI-Transport programme to modernise infrastructures and reduce structural disadvantages resulting from remoteness and distance. As for energy and the environment, he highlighted the potential of clean energy in the archipelago and pointed out that the nine isolated micro-grids in the Azores require specific solutions, dedicated funding and specific calls for proposals under the Connecting Europe Facility.

For José Manuel Bolieiro, the future of the Outermost Regions must be built based on a European policy that combines "competitiveness, economic growth and territorial cohesion," ensuring fair conditions so that populations can exercise "their right to stay."

Therefore, he defended the urgency of starting a systematic effort to identify the necessary legislative adaptations, ensuring simplified processes, adequate mechanisms, and financial resources that respond to the reality of the outermost regions.

The head of the Azorean Government concluded his speech by thanking the Vice-President of the European Commission, Raffaele Fitto, for his commitment to engage in dialogue and the attention he has given to the Outermost Regions. He reiterated the Azores' willingness to continue to participate constructively in the definition of European policies.

In the morning, and within the scope of the same meeting, the Outermost Regions delivered to Raffaele Fitto the joint statement on the next Multiannual Financial Framework, a document signed by the Presidents of the nine Outermost Regions. It will now be analysed by the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Member States.

Related press release: Speech by the President of the Government