"Supporting the Azores is investing in Europe," says José Manuel Bolieiro - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, highlighted today at the Regional Legislative Assembly the work carried out by the Azorean Government with European institutions to safeguard the Region’s interests in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034.

In his speech, the head of the Azorean Government analysed the European Commission’s proposal within the current international context.

“The European Commission, in response to the war in Ukraine and global geopolitical instability, is setting new priorities such as security and defence,” he said, while leaving a warning: “It is impossible to do more or set new priorities, with less money.”

José Manuel Bolieiro criticised the proposal, considering that it “undermines the distinctive nature of the Outermost Regions and fails to uphold Article 349 of the Treaty.” In this regard, he warned of the risks of diluting the specific characteristics of the Azores in areas such as agriculture, fisheries and cohesion.

Nevertheless, he made a point of highlighting the actions undertaken by the Azorean Government since the beginning of this process. 

“From the very outset, the Regional Government has made its position clear,” he stated, noting that this is aligned with the resolution adopted by the Legislative Assembly.

The head of the Azorean Government highlighted the range of initiatives undertaken to shape the European proposal.

“The President of the Regional Government has written to the President of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council in support of the Outermost Regions,” he said, adding that the Region has played an active role in the Conference of Presidents of the Outermost Regions.

This work is complemented by direct contact with European officials. He stated that the Region has held meetings with various key figures, including the Vice-President of the European Commission, Raffaele Fitto, as well as the Commissioners responsible for fisheries and agriculture, amongst other stakeholders.

Regarding the positions advocated by the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro highlighted the need to guarantee “co-financing rates” suited to the realities of the Outermost Regions and to ensure that “funding for the Outermost Regions is not subject to the discretion of Member States.”

The President of the Regional Government also reiterated the importance of preserving key instruments for the Region. He defended the “maintenance and strengthening of the current POSEI Agriculture programme as an autonomous instrument,” as well as the creation of new measures to address the costs of remoteness, such as a POSEI programme for Transport.

From a political standpoint, he took a firm stance against the centralisation of fund management.

“We do not agree with the centralisation of funds within national governments, nor with any reduction in the effective participation of the Outermost Regions in shaping their own development,” he stated.

José Manuel Bolieiro also highlighted the role of the Azores in the European and Atlantic context: “The Outermost Regions and the Azores, in particular, are a strategic asset for the European Union in the Atlantic,” he said, warning that “the Atlantic is too important to be overlooked.”

The head of the Azorean Government further emphasised the idea that European support for the Region should be regarded as an investment.

“Supporting our farmers, fishers, entrepreneurs and citizens will never be a cost to the European Union, but rather an investment,” he stated, defending that the Azores remain an active and relevant part of the European project.