Artur Lima highlights “coherent, informed and consistent” Plan and Budget - Communication

Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional

The Vice-President of the Regional Government of the Azores, Artur Lima, spoke today in the parliamentary debate on the 2026 Plan and Budget in Horta, emphasising that it is "coherent, informed and consistent."

"We live at a time when the present is the past, and the actual is on the verge of becoming obsolete. This is why we must constantly adjust our activities and actions," stated the Vice-President of the Government.

Digital transition in the Azores requires the establishment of "solid foundations" that can "respond to needs" and also "support new developments," he said.

In this regard, he highlighted the creation of two data centres located on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira, as well as the completion of the Mobile.Gov project, investments that "have led to cost reductions, greater efficiency in resource management and better protection against external threats ."

"The digital transition will only be useful and effective if we all manage to seize its potential he said, adding that "all this effort requires connectivity."

The Azores "are on the verge of being connected between themselves and to the world like never before," stated the government official. He mentioned that the NUVEM and SOL submarine cables will be connected to the Azores, and the Region has managed to ensure that the regional recommendations will be included in the final report of the CAM Ring inter-island working group.

Regarding the air connectivity in the Region, Artur Lima pointed out that the Lajes Airport is more than just a physical infrastructure; it is one of the gateways to a Region."

He also assured that the Regional Government is completing the project to expand and modernise the airport terminal, "so that we can offer better conditions and comfort to the growing number of users of this infrastructure."

"In 2025, we reached one million passengers for the first time, and we are working to ensure that this figure continues to grow. Bearing this in mind, we have implemented the Incentive Programme for Attracting New Air Routes," he assured. 

"We must not forget that the Azores are in a unique geostrategic position, and we must know how to seize it, as it provides us with opportunities," he pointed out. 

In this international context, the Azores needs "to be present and proactive to defend and demand" what is rightfully theirs, emphasised the Vice-President of the Government.

As such, the Azores "have taken on an important role in the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions, where they have held one of the Vice-Presidencies of this body," he noted.

"From the outset, we have been present in the discussion forums on the next Multiannual Financial Framework, which could have a significant impact on European fund transfers to our Region and how they are managed," warned Artur Lima.

"We are, and will continue to be, against centralism, and we cannot accept that the European Union promotes and implements this strategy of nationalising funds," he assured. 

Regarding the Region's external projection, the Vice-President stated that "the Azores are where they should be, forging new paths and at the forefront of new developments," defending that "only in this way will we be able to attract external investment."

In this context, he highlighted the Azores' presence at Expo OSAKA 2025, following direct negotiations with AICEP and the commitment to Web Summit 2025, which featured more than 20 Azorean companies. During this event, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with STARTUP Portugal.

The Vice-Presidency's governmental action also takes the form of a commitment to the ongoing training of Azoreans: We currently support over 50 doctoral students," noted the government official.

The University of the Azores, in turn, "is a pillar" of the Region.

He continued: "We are also creating a regional tenure programme, a decisive step towards stabilising scientific careers and retaining talent, our talents."

In this regard, the Vice-President of the Regional Government also highlighted the revision of PROSCIENCIA and the Azores Scientific and Technological System.

"Our solid commitment to science has allowed us to raise our level of innovation," emphasised Artur Lima.

"This is confirmed by the European Commission," he said, referring to the institution's "Regional Innovation Scoreboard," according to which the Region reached the "Emerging+" innovation level in 2025, with a score of 70.0 base points.

The Azores Science and Technology Parks "are increasingly well-equipped and capable, whether through continuous funding from the University's Research Units or investment in Regional Science Centres," he added.

In conclusion, the Vice-President of the Regional Government asserted that the 2026 Plan and Budget " will enable the Azores to progress in their efforts to generate knowledge, turn it into innovation and put it at the service of the Azoreans. Moving forward in the digital transition side by side with the Azoreans, municipalities, businesses and regional institutions. And moving forward in defending the status of the outermost regions."

Related press release: Speech by the Vice-President of the Government