Vice-President of the Regional Government reiterates importance of Outermost Region status in future MFF - Communication

Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional

The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, defended in Brussels the importance of the Outermost region status in the context of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Artur Lima met with the Portuguese Ambassador to the Permanent Representation of Portugal to the European Union (REPER), Pedro Pereira, and the Director for Carbon Markets and Clean Mobility at DG CLIMA, Beatriz Yordi.

Matters concerning the financing of the Outermost Regions in the MFF 2028-2034 were addressed during the meetings, namely POSEI and specific support in the areas of agriculture, fisheries, cohesion and mobility. The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) was also discussed.

“The next European Union budget must fully recognise the specific characteristics of the Azores and all other Outermost Regions. The lack of any mention of funding for the Outermost Regions in the proposal is a source of great concern for the Autonomous Region of the Azores,” stated Artur Lima.

On that occasion, the Vice-President of the Regional Government was informed that the Permanent Representation of Portugal to the European Union has been undertaking every effort to safeguard the Region's position and ensure compliance with Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

Regarding the EU ETS, the Vice-President emphasised at both meetings that "the Azores are recognised for their levels of excellence in environmental sustainability" and, therefore, "these issues should be considered when designing environmental policies."

The Vice-President stressed that "the Azores are a small market, so the application of additional taxes could jeopardise the attractiveness of the destination and, as such, weaken the regional market."

The Vice-President pointed out that "the Azores are affected by problems of dual remoteness, which undermine the attractiveness and competitiveness of the Region and require considerable investment." He added that "this is the result of the 'mobility poverty' experienced in the archipelago, an issue that he has been highlighting to European institutions since April 2025."

Artur Lima first raised the "mobility poverty" issue in a speech he delivered at a session of the CPMR Islands Commission, held in La Palma on April 23-24, 2025.

The positions defended were welcomed, particularly by the Director of DG CLIMA, who acknowledged the accessibility limitations existing in the Azores and the effects of environmental taxes on the mobility of people and goods.

“I reiterate that the sea and the air are our true ‘railway’ in the Azores. No European initiative can jeopardise the mobility of Azoreans, either internally or externally,” stressed Artur Lima.