José Manuel Bolieiro highlights Azores’ new geostrategic importance in Atlantic security and defence - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, defended today in Lisbon that the current international situation reinforces the archipelago’s geostrategic importance and creates an “opportunity to establish the Azores” as a “strategic platform for Portugal, the European Union and NATO,” where security, defence, innovation and development go hand in hand.

The head of the Azorean Government participated in the seminar "The New Centrality of the Azores: A Strategic-Military Perspective," an initiative organised by the Military University Institute, delivering a presentation on "Relations with security and defence systems in the Autonomous Region of the Azores."

José Manuel Bolieiro addressed the growing importance of the North Atlantic against the backdrop of the reshaping of the international security architecture, marked by ongoing conflicts and the need to protect critical infrastructure, logistics chains, maritime routes, energy flows and digital communications.

“The Azores are no longer perceived as a peripheral region but are now recognised as a key hub in the Atlantic, essential to the security and resilience of Europe and the transatlantic community,” he stated.

The President of the Regional Government emphasised that the archipelago’s geographical position – located at the crossroads of the main maritime and air routes between Europe, America and Africa – combined with its vast maritime area and growing role in the space sector, confers on the Azores a “strategic importance” that is unrivalled within Portugal.

In this context, he highlighted the Region’s increased responsibility for monitoring a sub-area within the Exclusive Economic Zone covering approximately one million square kilometres, for protecting the submarine cables that carry a significant proportion of transatlantic communications, and for safeguarding critical maritime infrastructure.

Accordingly, José Manuel Bolieiro advocated a strategy based on the development of dual-use capabilities, channelling investment in security and defence towards the protection of the territory, the blue economy, technological innovation and the creation of skilled jobs.

"We want to position the Azores as a strategic platform for Portugal, bringing together defence, innovation, resilience and economic development, and turning our geographical location into a competitive asset for the Region and the country," he maintained.

The President of the Government also highlighted the role of infrastructure such as the Lajes Air Base on Terceira Island, the NATO pier in Ponta Delgada, the future Horta Technology Free Zone and the Santa Maria spaceport, noting that these capabilities bolster the Azores’ capacity to support security and defence operations, develop cutting-edge technology and consolidate the Region’s position in the maritime and space sectors.

José Manuel Bolieiro also called for the tightening of maritime surveillance, the protection of critical infrastructure and situational awareness of the maritime domain. He also advocated closer cooperation among the Region, the National Government, NATO and the European Union, striking a balance that reconciles sovereignty, security, sustainability and development.

"Our geographical position should lead to greater security, greater resilience and a brighter future. We want the Azores to be recognised as a leading hub for dual-use capabilities and a benchmark for policies bringing together maritime security, technological innovation, a sustainable blue economy and territorial cohesion," he concluded.