Outermost regions need stronger cohesion policy, defends Artur Lima
Brussels
Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional
The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, stated today in Brussels that the Region should "closely follow the definition of the Cohesion Policy of the future," defending that it should "be flexible and stronger to take into account the geographical, economic and social reality of the outermost regions."
"European cohesion policies have contributed to the development and change in outermost regions, but given the challenges that remain, they need to be further strengthened and consolidated," he stressed.
Artur Lima spoke today in Brussels on the sidelines of the 9th European Cohesion Forum, an event organised by the European Commission running until tomorrow.
"When discussing the post-2027 Cohesion Policy, we have to join forces to demand what is fair for the Azores and call for greater awareness on the part of the European institutions of those issues that are essential to our development," he recalled.
According to Artur Lima, issues such as demographic change, transport, the digital and energy transition and health deserve "special attention" as they "have a particular impact on these outermost regions."
Acknowledging that the "Azores face a series of structural constraints," the Vice-President of the Government stressed that "social and territorial cohesion will only be fully ensured with a proper understanding by European organisations regarding the impact of these constraints on the lives of the Azoreans."
Despite the "moments of uncertainty that Europe is facing" and which will probably entail an "increase in investment in Defence policy," Artur Lima clarified that "this should not be to the detriment of cohesion support instruments."
Today, Artur Lima, accompanied by the Regional Director for European Affairs and External Cooperation, Carlos Amaral, had the opportunity to meet with Portugal's Permanent Representative to the European Union (REPER), Ambassador Pedro Lourtie, and with REPER Technical Advisor, Paulo do Nascimento Cabral.
