José Manuel Bolieiro reiterates support for Outermost Regions and takes the Azores' message to President of the European Council - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

Following his participation in the European conference on the future of the Outermost Regions, held today in Brussels, the President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, announced that he will send a letter to the President of the European Council, António Costa, expressing the Region's opposition to the European Commission's proposal for the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

The decision comes after the debate on the need to ensure compliance with Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which enshrines the principle of differentiation in favour of the Outermost Regions.

The head of the Azorean Government considers that the proposal presented by the Commission "does not fulfil the commitments made to the Outermost Regions and represents a worrying step backwards," warning of the risks of losing achievements made over decades.

"We are against the Commission's proposal. Under its terms, it does not fulfil its commitments to the Outermost Regions. I will make this position known to the President of the European Council in a letter," stated the President of the Government.

The letter, which will be sent in the coming days, aims to raise awareness among the European Council regarding the importance of preserving specific instruments such as the POSEI programme, considered essential for the food self-sufficiency and economic balance of the islands. It also proposes the creation of a POSEI-Fisheries and a POSEI-Transport, dedicated to offsetting additional costs and improving the mobility and connectivity of island regions.

José Manuel Bolieiro will also advocate the maintenance of increased co-financing rates, increasing budgets dedicated to the Outermost Regions and creating specific sections for each region in national and regional plans, with a view to ensuring the effective participation of the Outermost Regions in the planning and implementation of European policies.

“A Multiannual Financial Framework that fully acknowledges the specific characteristics of the Outermost Regions is not only a matter of territorial justice, but also a pillar of the resilience, cohesion and competitiveness of the European Union itself,” stated the President of the Government. 

José Manuel Bolieiro also pointed out that this letter reflects the common political position of the Outermost Regions, strengthened by the joint declaration signed in Brussels. He reiterated the Region's willingness to collaborate with the National Government and the European institutions in advocating a balanced solution for the next financial framework.

“The Azores are fully committed to contributing to a more cohesive and fairer Europe that leaves no one behind. This is the meaning of the letter we will send to the President of the European Council: a calm but firm defence of the principle of differentiation that lies at the heart of the European project,” he concluded.