Communiqué from the Council of the Government - Communication

The Council of the Government, which met in Ponta Delgada on November 10, adopted the following measures:

1 - The Regional Government of the Azores has as a strategic goal the implementation of an economic development model based on knowledge and innovation, a catalyst for the evolution of the Azores into a more efficient and more competitive Region with high levels of employment,  economic well-being and social welfare.

Therefore, the Government has decided to approve the Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation of the Autonomous Region of the Azores - RIS3 Azores (Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation) for the  2022-2027 period.

Now that the 2014-2020 period has ended, in view of the results and the evaluation of the implementation of RIS3 Azores during that period, and taking into account the structural and context changes that have occurred, as well as the new strategic lines and operational requirements associated with the Europe 2030 Strategy and the European Operational Programme 2021-2027, an evolutionary revision of RIS3 Azores is now being carried out. It is being adapted to the new regional and European social and economic context as well as updated in accordance with the European criteria leading to the implementation of the new RIS3 2.0 strategies.

In addition to being a reference in terms of public policies for regional structural investments, the Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation is the basis for European structural investments, contributing to the accomplishment of major policy and cohesion goals set out by the European Union.

2 - Create exceptional support for the beneficiaries of the regional pension supplement, which arises from the need to help the most vulnerable population groups, namely pensioners, including the elderly, disabled citizens or those with special needs. They need to be supported through the regional pension supplement due to the increase in monthly expenses they have to bear, as a result of the Russia-Ukraine military conflict.

The proposed support corresponds to 50% of the amount granted to the beneficiaries of this supplement in the month of November 2022.

3 - Approve the financial support for damages resulting from extreme weather events in the parishes of Mosteiros and Feteiras, both in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, corresponding to an overall amount of 95,925.01 Euros.

4 - Launch the works contract for the "Redevelopment and Maritime Protection of Santa Iria Port - São Miguel Island," through public tender, with a base price of 4,850,000.00 Euros and a completion period of 730 days.

The intervention intends to redevelop and improve the maritime protection of the Santa Iria Port in the parish of Ribeirinha, municipality of Ribeira Grande.

It is essential to promote safety conditions in the area where the Santa Iria Port is located as well as in its respective access, through the stabilisation of the cliffs adjacent to the access road to the port. This intervention intends to mitigate the geological risk for people and goods, both on the access road to the port and in the sunning area, through the installation of structural elements adapted to the local environmental exposure and with a low visual impact.

It is also important to ensure coastal protection against the direct action of sea waves, both in the northern and southern sectors.

5 - Approve the operating plan for regional aerodromes presented by the concession holder - SATA - Gestão de Aeródromos, S.A. - for the year 2022.

The entity holds the concession of the public airport service support civil aviation at the aerodromes of Corvo, Graciosa, Pico, São Jorge and Flores.

Under the terms of the concession contract, it is necessary to approve the operating plan with an overall investment value estimated at 2,334,676.29 Euros, eligible for European funds.