President of the Government regrets "serious" and "unwanted" crisis in Eastern Europe - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro, attended today the meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defence, via videoconference, from the island of Corvo. On the occasion, he regretted the "serious" and "unwanted" crisis in Eastern Europe, expressing his fear that the situation will also " affect" the Azores through price increases.

"We are facing a serious and unwanted crisis that Russia has unfortunately brought about by this invasion. I would like to offer a word of solidarity on behalf of the Azores to the Ukrainian people," said José Manuel Bolieiro. He spoke in the context of the meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defence convened by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

There are 73 Ukrainian citizens living in the Azores, spread across "several islands," to all of whom José Manuel Bolieiro offered a word of solidarity: " they are here in peace and they can count on our support.

As for the Russian citizens living in the Azores, the President of the Government says that they "will not be happy with this warlike situation."

"Regrettably," José Manuel Bolieiro added that this is "a situation that will further aggravate what was already happening in the world and will also be detrimental to the Azores" through "price increases."

“It is important that we all be prepared for a serious situation, namely in fuel prices as well as in production factors in general.  This will naturally create more difficulties for governance, economic life and society," he continued, also expressing his "hope" that Russia will regret the situation it has created and "quickly restore peace."