José Manuel Bolieiro and AIMA join forces to provide more "effective" services in the Azores
Ponta Delgada
Presidência do Governo Regional
The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, received today the President of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), Pedro Portugal Gaspar, in a courtesy visit, marking the official's first visit to the Region.
Accompanied by the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estevão, the meeting took place in an atmosphere of constructive dialogue and mutual recognition of the work carried out in the Region in terms of immigrant integration.
"This openness and direct knowledge of the reality of the Autonomous Regions on the part of AIMA is to be commended," stated José Manuel Bolieiro.
The head of the Azorean Government also highlighted the smooth running of AIMA's services in the Azores, stressing that "when everything goes well, this should also be acknowledged."
During its visit to the Azores, the AIMA delegation, led by Pedro Portugal Gaspar, visited the agency's facilities on the islands of Faial, Terceira and São Miguel, as well as the Local Centres for the Integration of Migrants (CLAIM) in Angra do Heroísmo and Ponta Delgada.
According to AIMA's most recent report, covering 2023, there are currently more than 6,200 immigrants from 98 different countries living in the Azores, a figure that highlights the growing diversity of Azorean society and the ongoing work towards full integration.
The President of the Regional Government also highlighted the Region's willingness to deepen institutional cooperation with AIMA.
"We are building an understanding with a view to closer collaboration, considering the specificities of our archipelago and the challenges of territorial discontinuity," stated José Manuel Bolieiro.
This collaboration, he added, should lead to gains in "efficiency" and "quality" when supporting immigrant citizens, improving the existing coordination with entities such as AIPA – Association of Immigrants in the Azores – and the consular corps accredited in the Region.
The archipelago has been recognised as a national example of welcoming and integrating immigrants. Evidence of this was the recent approval of a bill extending social mobility benefits to all resident immigrants, contributing to the elimination of discrimination and the promotion of social justice.
