Paulo Estêvão stresses Azores' proactive position on space matters - Communication

Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades

The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, stated today that the Azores will maintain their proactive position in the space sector, moving forward in the near future to create a regional directorate for the sector, which will ensure “greater capacity and strength” to face the various challenges lying ahead.

“We will have a strong and highly qualified unit within the Government to defend the interests of the Azores,” the government official stated, speaking before a parliamentary committee.

When the mission of the Azores Mission Structure for Space (EMA-Espaço) comes to an end, the Region's path in the sector will continue with a “stronger organisational structure” that will prepare the Azores for challenges such as suborbital launches or the development of a Space Technology Centre in Santa Maria.

“This represents a global investment of €15 million, with €3 million in 2027  from the Regional Government,” stated Paulo Estêvão. 

We are at a time of achievements. And these are Azorean achievements, whose merit belongs to everyone," he continued, praising various entities and stakeholders, such as the Portuguese Space Agency, previous governments and the Vila do Porto Municipal Council.

Regarding the reason for the parliamentary hearing, the resignation of the former Coordinator of EMA-Espaço, Paulo Quental, the government official dismissed the matter as “unnecessary controversy with no benefit to the Azores.”