Speech delivered 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, at the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores in Horta:

“The Government of the Azores published on February 4, for the purpose of public consultation, a preliminary proposal of what will be the next operational programme of the Azores 21-27, under the designation "Azores2030," since the n+3 rule is applicable, i. e., although the programme ends in 2027, it is possible to complete the investments until 2030. It is, undoubtedly, an agenda for the decade.

The preparation of this preliminary proposal has indeed been a complex work of coordination between several European, national and regional entities and personalities. Currently,  Currently, social partners, political parties and citizens are submitting their contributions to this preliminary proposal. And it will remain so until February 25.  

The "Azores2030" Operational Programme is intended to be an important contribution to "A convergence agenda for the Azores," with an allocation of 1140 million Euros, of which about half - 561 million Euros - will be allocated to an agenda for "social convergence" in the Region, specifically in areas such as education, health and social inclusion.

The allocation of ERDF and ESF+ funds responds to strict technical thematic concentration criteria, as set out in their respective regulations. For example, in the case of ERDF, this includes, among others, a minimum allocation of 25% of resources to the strategic goal of a more Smart Europe+. In the case of the ESF+, priority was awarded to the specific recommendations identified in the European Semester and it will ensure a minimum allocation of 25% of resources to social inclusion, 12.5% to youth employment and 3% to support the most deprived.

As for the implementation process, we cannot disregard, besides companies, the public administration and social partners such as municipalities, which will have an equal range of opportunities, according to their purpose and preference. We will not limit funds in areas that no other sector of activity wants.

Regarding the Santa Casa da Misericórdia institutions and Private Social Solidarity Institutions, we will create conditions so that they may be able to apply, individually or in partnerships, thus remedying the injustice they have suffered in the past.

As for NGOs, we intend them to be actively involved in the promotion of our environment, environmental education and the defence of our resources. We also intend to support private media companies, among many other changes.

We must undertake a special effort towards social convergence, alongside economic convergence. We have adopted the principle that the economy serves the people, improving their social conditions and being a social driving force, as we are confident that social convergence will eventually leverage economic convergence.

It is not the people at the service of the economy, but rather the economy at the service of the people.

Therefore, we want everyone to be involved in definition of the Azores2030 Operational Programme as a true element of development and social and economic convergence between the Region, the country and the European Union.

In an assessment carried out by the National Statistics Institute in 2019, the Azores ranked 22nd in the economic competitiveness indicator (dropping from 21st to 22nd place), among the 25 Portuguese regions, and maintained the last place regarding economic cohesion.

As regards the synthetic regional development index, which is the result of the joint performance of the competitiveness, cohesion and environmental quality indicators, the Azores are in 23rd place out of 25 places.

In comparison with the European Union, the Azores' GDP per capita in 2019 stood at 69.9%. Over these last 20 years, and despite the significant European support, the Azores have only grown 1.3% over the previous period.

Even today, the Azores still have frustrating indicators in the areas of education, health and the economy.

Regarding education, the early school dropout rate in the Azores was in 2020 practically the same as in 2016, standing at 27%. This means that 27% of young people aged between 18 and 24 do not have upper secondary education, and are not studying or undergoing training. This figure is three times the national average.

In health, despite the accumulated debt of 800 million Euros, through the company Saudaçor, and the debt to hospital suppliers amounting to more than 150 million Euros in 2020, the known indicator of infant mortality in the Azores is twice the national average.

The average life expectancy at birth in the Azores is three years lower than the national average.

Our social, economic and financial reality is, therefore, very complex, given the situation that has been created in the past. 

The preliminary proposal for the Azores2030 Operational Programme is based on five strategic goals:

A more competitive and smart Europe that will invest in innovation, digitalisation, the competitiveness of our companies, industrial transition and entrepreneurship;

A greener Europe that ensures the necessary environmental sustainability by investing in new energy sources and the circular economy, promoting resource efficiency and combating climate change;

A more connected Europe with enhanced mobility and accessibility;

A more social and inclusive Europe that promotes social cohesion, through investments in education, training, health, inclusion, employment, culture and social innovation, with a particular focus on marginalised communities, low income families and disadvantaged groups;

And finally, a Europe closer to citizens that promotes territorial cohesion, supporting local development and sustainable urban development.

It is, therefore, in compliance with EU regulations and in line with the Government Programme, that we propose an allocation of 85% of the Azores2030 Operational Programme budget to the fundamental goals towards a More Social Europe, a Smarter Europe and a Greener Europe.

Priority will be given to the essential areas of education, social inclusion, training, culture, health and employment, thus focusing on people, especially the most disadvantaged among them.

Priority must also be awarded to the promotion of economic development, research and innovation for productive investment to strengthen the competitiveness of our micro, small and medium enterprises, as well as the promotion of environmental sustainability.

This is the time, after hearing all partners, to move forward with its definition. Without delay or haste.

The Azores are, for the time being, the only region in the country that is promoting a widespread public consultation on its operational programme.

It is time for transparency and dialogue.

Portugal has not yet signed the partnership agreement with the European Commission, and in European practice, nothing is decided until everything is decided. Obviously, we are promoting participation, and in good time.

I conclude by saying that, within the context of European regulatory constraints, we advocate more participation in the implementation of Community funds towards the next decade.

The Government should motivate people, institutions and companies, whether they be micro, small, medium or large companies, for the opportunity of a good and efficient implementation of these funds.

The Government is responsible for their implementation, in a transparent manner and accessible to all, with fewer procedures and with clearly defined indicators and goals.

We must embrace a true "social agenda of convergence."

We want a more cohesive and fairer society, with more equal opportunities and based on the resources generated by a more competitive private economy, which ensures the provision of fundamental quality services such as health and education.

It is the future of the Azores that we are all concerned with.

We are counting on everyone's involvement to accomplish these goals together.

These are difficult times, with risks to peace in Europe as well as to the control of prices of the main production factors, inflation and interest rates.

Opportunities are often accompanied by threats.

On behalf of the Government of the Azores, I thank all those who participated in the hearings, and for all the contributions that will be given to us in the public consultation that is underway.

Thank you very much.”