Paulo Estêvão urges National Government to include Azores and Madeira in Return Programme - Communication

Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades

The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, opened the Migration Forum today in Angra do Heroísmo. On the occasion, he called on the National Government to ensure “full national coverage” for the Return Programme, which guarantees various tax and other incentives to all emigrants wishing to return to Portugal.

"The Azores and Madeira are growing significantly from an economic standpoint and are facing problems such as labour shortages. This programme is very important, as the communities of the Azores and Madeira represent a very significant proportion of the Portuguese diaspora who may wish to return,” stated the government official. He spoke at the Angra do Heroísmo Interpretation Centre on Terceira Island on the first of the two-day forum.

The PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition recently presented a draft resolution to the Azorean Parliament aimed at including the entire national territory in the Return Programme. Since it entered into force in 2019, the programme has only covered citizens returning to Mainland Portugal.

Paulo Estêvão also addressed several developments in the Azores regarding the integration of immigrants, highlighting the “local responses on all islands” that have been provided under the protocol between the Regional Government, RIAC and AIMA. He also emphasised the role and “extensive experience” of entities such as AIPA and Cresaçor.

“Here, we respect different national identities. We value them, but we want to raise awareness among this population to serve the Azores and Portugal. Being proud of your identity is not incompatible with participating in solidarity and loyalty with the project of the Azores and Portugal,” he said, recalling the centuries-old experience of Azorean emigration to various territories.

In any case, he acknowledged that the challenge in the Azores is “on a different scale” to that facing the country as a whole and Madeira, given the smaller percentage of foreigners living on the nine islands.

Regarding Azoreans abroad and those of Azorean descent, the Regional Secretary was emphatic: "We want our communities to value themselves wherever they are. We want them to preserve their language and identity, and contribute to the development of their host societies. With hard work and persistence, taboos of discrimination have been broken, and the Azorean community is recognised and valued.”

Following the two previous editions, held on the islands of Faial and Pico in October 2023 and on the island of São Miguel in December 2024, the 3rd Migration Forum reiterates the Azorean Government's commitment to promoting dialogue, cooperation and integration. It consolidates the Region's role as a bridge between communities, cultures and territories in the Portuguese-speaking world.

Among others, the meeting will be attended by Rui Armindo Freitas, Deputy Minister for the Presidency and Immigration, José Andrade, Regional Director for the Communities of the Government of the Azores, and Sancho Gomes, Regional Director for Communities and External Cooperation of the Government of Madeira.