Regional Government strengthen dialogue with Island Councils for regional development - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Azorean Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, met today with the Board of the Terceira Island Council, elected for the 2025-2029 term, at the Capitães-Generais Palace in Angra do Heroísmo. The meeting was also attended by the Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, and was part of the Government's strategy to strengthen dialogue with the advisory bodies of the islands that are not covered by mandatory statutory visits.

The head of the Azorean Government stressed that this type of meeting aims to "deepen institutional coordination and ensure more regular dialogue with the Island Councils," providing an opportunity to directly address each island's priorities and concerns.

"This meeting fulfils the Regional Government's commitment to maintain close relations with the Island Councils. It allows us to analyse the memorandum prepared by the council members and reflect on the reality of Terceira Island, creating a more regular dialogue that is not limited to the annual opinion on the Plan and Budget," he said.

The President of the Government recalled that he had already had the opportunity to meet with the São Miguel Island Council, and a similar meeting with the Faial Island Council is planned for the near future, thus reinforcing this strategy of institutional proximity.

According to José Manuel Bolieiro, the meeting with representatives from Terceira proved to be "fruitful," with several topics being presented based on the reflections of the council members present. The Regional Government also had the opportunity to provide clarifications and share information on ongoing investments and the economic role of the island in the regional context.

"Terceira represents the second largest economy in the Region and has a relevant geographical centrality in the archipelago, particularly regarding accessibility and the strategic relevance of the Azores in the Atlantic context," he said.

During the meeting, matters concerning the tourism sector and the evolution of the air transport market were also under discussion, particularly following Ryanair's withdrawal from operations in the Azores. For the President of the Government, this scenario requires a strategic response.

"In a market economy, gaps eventually get filled. We are working to find solutions that will enable us to respond to these challenges, with a more rational and strategic approach to promoting the Azores as a destination, based on knowledge of source markets and competing destinations," he explained.

Another topic under discussion was the future of the Regional Health Service (SRS), namely the coordination between primary health care and the regional hospital network.

José Manuel Bolieiro defended the importance of complementarity among the three hospitals in the Azores, emphasising that the goal is to bolster the overall capacity of the system.

“We cannot halt the development of one hospital in favour of another, nor can we value only one without recognising the importance of all. Our strategy is to strengthen this tripolar hospital system and enhance existing resources to ensure that the SRS is increasingly capable of responding to the needs of the Azorean people,” he said.

The head of the Azorean Government also rejected interpretations marked by territorial rivalries, advocating an approach based on the regional dimension.

"I will not allow the governance of the Azores to be conditioned by false narratives of provincialism. What we want is dialogue, understanding of each island's perspectives and, above all, appreciation of the Azores as a whole," he said.

The meeting was attended by the president of the Terceira Island Council, Marcos Couto, and the other members of the board, who presented the Regional Government with various concerns and proposals stemming from the work carried out by council members. The common goal, concluded José Manuel Bolieiro, is to "bring positions closer and build consensus that contributes to the balanced development of the Region."