President of the Government reiterates to Gouveia e Melo the autonomous powers of the Azores in sea management - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, met today in Lisbon with the Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Navy and National Maritime Authority, Admiral Gouveia e Melo. On the occasion, he explained the Government's strategy for the Azores Sea and what it wants from the Navy with a view to consolidating a "new day" for the sector and reinforcing the importance of this asset in the country and the world.

"The Azores need the Navy and the Navy needs the Azores to assert the importance of Portugal," emphasised José Manuel Bolieiro, who outlined to Henrique Gouveia e Melo the Regional Government's vision for the Azores Sea, always with the aim of involving the Navy as a partner in the implementation of these policies.

The implementation of a protocol in which the Navy will work as a partner to improve surveillance of the Azores Sea and its resources, including the new Network of Protected Areas of the Azores Sea (RAMPA), and the commissioning of the Region's new scientific research vessel, which will arrive in the Region between the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026, was under discussion.

At the meeting, also attended by several high-ranking members of the Navy, the Azores' vision for their sea was presented in areas such as security and economic potential, in addition to the strategic perspective for the Region's development.

"It was a meeting where we confirmed the autonomous powers of shared management of the Azores Sea as well as what the Regional Government wants for the Azores Sea and the collaboration it wants from the Navy," said the President of the Regional Government.