Vice-President of the Government defends Azores' interests at DG MOVE and DG REGIO
Brussels
Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional
The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, met with the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) and the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) to defend and promote the Region's needs with the European Commission, as he did in a meeting with DG MARE on May 19.
At the meeting with DG MOVE in Brussels, Artur Lima explained the paradigm in the Azores regarding transport, especially in the maritime sector.
"From Santa Maria to Corvo there are more than 600 kilometres; the remoteness of the islands has created a situation of double periphery within the Region," he stressed, emphasising that "in the Azores, the sea is our railway."
During the meeting with this European body, it was emphasised that the port and airport structures of all islands of the archipelago are already included in the new version of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) policy.
Regarding the meeting with DG REGIO, emphasis was placed on the Azores' prospects for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), with the priority lines defended by the Region being discussed.
"The next MFF should provide reinforced and targeted support to promote investment in the newly emerging economies of the Autonomous Region of the Azores," stressed the Vice-President.
"The blue economy, the space economy and new communication technologies are key areas for sustainable development, job creation, innovation and economic growth," he continued.
Artur Lima reiterated that the "next MFF should not only promote the construction of necessary new infrastructures but also fund the redevelopment, upgrading and resizing of existing infrastructures, optimising resources and responding to maintenance and modernisation needs."
The series of meetings held by the Vice-President of the Government are particularly important in the run-up to the presentation of the European Union's next Multiannual Financial Framework.
"The Azores must maintain a constant presence at the European institutions to ensure that the fair and real needs of the Outermost Regions are duly recognised," defended Artur Lima.
