Speech by the President of the Government - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

Full text of the speech delivered today by the President of the Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, in Ponta Delgada, at the Formal Celebration Session of the Day of the Autonomous Region of the Azores:

“– Representative of the National Government for the Autonomous Region of the Azores, Your Excellency;

Allow me to extend a special greeting to you on this occasion, which marks your first participation in the ceremony celebrating the Day of the Azores and its Political Autonomy.

- Mr President of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, Your Excellency;

- Madam President of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Your Excellency;

- Madam Regional Secretary for Health and Civil Protection of the Regional Government of Madeira, on behalf of the President of the Regional Government of Madeira

- Mr Mayor of Ponta Delgada;

Allow me to extend my greetings and congratulations on the special status of Ponta Delgada as the Portuguese Capital of Culture for 2026.

- Mr President of the Municipal Assembly of Ponta Delgada;

- Former Presidents of the Government of the Azores;

- Members of the National Assembly;

- Members of the European Parliament;

- Members of the Regional Government of the Azores;

- Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores;

- Madam President of the Economic and Social Council of the Azores;

- Mr President of the Association of Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of the Azores;

- Mr Regional Coordinator of the National Association of Parishes;

- Rector of the University of the Azores;

- Operational Commander of the Azores;

- His Excellency, the Bishop of Angra;

- Local authorities, religious organisations, the military, law enforcement agencies, and representatives of various governmental and non-governmental bodies;

- Leaders and representatives of professional bodies, trade unions, employers’ associations, professional, cultural, recreational and humanitarian organisations, as well as entities representing the social and solidarity sector;

- Distinguished Honourees;

- Distinguished Guests;

- Ladies and Gentlemen.

Azoreans:

Today, with great pride, we celebrate the Azores. We celebrate our Azorean identity on this Holy Spirit Monday.

We reflect on our identity, our history, and, in a very special manner, we mark 50 years of Political Autonomy.

We honour a founding milestone: the achievement of democracy.

We honour the constitutional enshrinement of Political Autonomy, the creation of the Autonomous Region and the Self-Government Bodies.

We celebrate who we are: One People.

A people forged over 600 years of island history.

The Azorean people—Atlantic, island-dwelling and resilient—who, throughout their history, have known how to turn difficulties into opportunities, isolation into openness to the world, and uncertainty into hope.

The preamble to our Political and Administrative Statute clearly sets out the defining characteristics of the Azorean people, and I quote: “affirming themselves as the heirs of those who historically resisted isolation and abandonment, adverse weather and other natural disasters, periods of material scarcity and the most varied adversities, thus forging a unique and proud sense of Portuguese identity which they dared to call ‘Azorean identity’.”  

The unity of the nine islands of the Azores is essential to the success of this bold and innovative project.

Unity that is a transformative force and a driver of development for all the islands, leaving no island behind, in a process of harmonious and comprehensive development of the Azores.

A development that has led to an upsurge in social, territorial and economic progress across all the islands, unparalleled in our history before Political Autonomy.

It was through their own political power that the Azores have transformed themselves over the past 50 years, making up for the enormous delays caused by isolation, loneliness, neglect and abandonment.

Throughout these five decades of political and democratic autonomy, the people of the Azores have, in every election, chosen the members of the Legislative Assembly and the subsequent members of the Regional Governments.

I pay tribute, with the symbolism befitting this occasion, to my predecessors, Presidents Mota Amaral, Madruga da Costa, Carlos César and Vasco Cordeiro.

Marking 50 years of political autonomy fittingly is to help people understand what has brought us this far, whilst also reaffirming our commitment to the future.

Political Autonomy arose from an awareness of our own distinct identity and our understanding of Portuguese democracy.

We believe that a State becomes stronger when it acknowledges the diversity of its territory and people.

Portugal is also composed of an archipelago, and the Portuguese people include island communities.

Portugal is enriched by the territory of the Azores. And the history of the Azorean people is a source of pride for the country.

Our Political Autonomy was forged in the freedom brought about by April 25, 1974, and in the text of the 1976 Constitution of the Republic, which has remained progressive with each subsequent constitutional revision.

The Constituent Assembly Members from the Azores conceived and advocated, with a vision and scope never before even imagined or achieved, for political autonomy and the creation of the Autonomous Regions.

I take this opportunity to renew and reinforce my tribute, with recognition and gratitude, to our Constituent Assembly Members: – Mota Amaral, Jaime Gama, Américo Natalino Viveiros, Germano Domingos, José Manuel Bettencourt and Rúben Raposo.

Antero de Quental told us: “Freedom is the first condition for societies to achieve the end for which Providence destines them."

And this has been the case with our Democratic Political Autonomy in the Azores.

In freedom, the People of the Azores have made their choices, believing in the values of good governance and a realistic view of social and economic conditions.

Despite the magnitude of the challenges, and from a broader perspective, these fifty years have been a source of knowledge and responsibility.

They forged a path together with the people, which transformed the reality of our islands.

The quality of life we enjoy today in the Azores bears no resemblance to what we experienced 50 years ago.

Today, Azoreans have access to healthcare that was unthinkable before Political Autonomy.

In 1976, the three existing hospitals employed around 700 people. Today, in larger and modernised facilities equipped with advanced technology, they employ almost 4,200 people.

In 1977, 90 doctors were working in the Azores.

Today, there are 6,148 healthcare professionals, including 900 doctors and 2,000 nurses.

Today, the Azoreans are better qualified.

Secondary education has been extended to all islands, the pursuit of higher-level technical qualifications has been encouraged, and vocational training has established itself as an alternative for young Azoreans. 

The wealth generated in the Region has grown significantly.

The regional GDP per capita rose from 45% of the national average in 1974 to 88% in 2026. It has doubled.

The Region’s economy has undergone profound changes.

Nature-based tourism, renewable energy sources, specialised services, the modernisation of agriculture, and the export of value-added agricultural and seafood products have boosted the overall output of the regional economy.

The Azoreans are creating wealth and jobs as never before, and this is the only way to tackle long-standing poverty.

We currently have the highest number of people in employment ever. More than 120,000 people are employed in the Azores!

We have moved from a land of emigrants to a Region that welcomes immigrants and embraces them.

It is this collective capacity that we must recognise today.

I do so with pride, for it was Political Autonomy that made this possible.

At a time when the international scene is marked by instability, conflict and uncertainty, the Azores must establish themselves as a counterpoint and become a political and social space of stability, dialogue and institutional responsibility.

It is with this sense of responsibility that we have been shaping our strategy.

A strategy for sustainable development that values people, promotes increased income for households and businesses, maintains a consistent policy of tax reduction, stimulates economic growth, promotes the internal mobility of people and the movement of goods, generating wealth, and ensures employment stability and the skills development of our workforce.

The Azores are strengthening their geostrategic role by enhancing their natural heritage and their entire territory – land, sea and air.

In fact, the world and the future need this sustainable development strategy.

Both need role models and guiding lights. And the Azores are now both a role model and a guiding light.

Understanding and respecting the land, the sea and the environment is the best way to create value. Value for the Azores.

In protecting the ocean, we lead by example. This leadership is recognised, particularly at an international level, as our early achievement in meeting the global sustainable development goals set by the United Nations demonstrates the consistency of our approach.

This is a result of our political autonomy.

Azoreans:

This year, too, we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of our accession to the European Union.

Our integration into the European Union has enabled us to secure the necessary financial resources to modernise our Region, upskill our citizens and, consequently, unlock new opportunities and ambitions.

Today, our status as an Outermost Region requires special attention to our specific characteristics and needs to ensure that fundamental European and Community values, such as social cohesion, territorial continuity and the right of resident populations to remain, are upheld. We must also recognise our role as a hub in the Atlantic, highlighting the value we contribute to Portugal, the European Union, and NATO.

We are increasingly becoming a hub for scientific research, technology and the knowledge of the future.

These are essential elements if we are to be effectively relevant in global transitions, such as the climate, digital, energy and technological transitions.

All of these are vital to the development of high-precision economies, at sea, in space and on land. 

Indeed, the best future we can offer our Autonomy is one based on knowledge Autonomy.

The fact is that we are a link between continents: a significant presence of the European Union in the Atlantic.

A territory that is, at once, a border and a meeting point, an outpost and a territory where continents, routes and global interests converge.

The geostrategic importance of the Azores is evident in the way the archipelago adds a new dimension to Portugal and the European Union — at sea, in space, in communications and in science.

Portugal and the European Union have, in the Azores, a unique strategic asset, which they have the responsibility and opportunity to recognise and harness.

Geographical constraints will persist, but the opportunities arising from our geography will become increasingly apparent.

We intend, over time, to reconcile the Region of needs that we are with the Region of opportunities that we aspire to be.

It is towards this transformation that we are working, with confidence, turning uncertainty into ambition. It is our duty.

With all generations. With all Azoreans.

Long live the Azores!”