Regional Directorate for European Affairs and External Cooperation






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Europe Day on Flores Island streamed online
Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional
Europe Day on Flores Island streamed online
Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government promotes webinars under “Digital Islands” project
Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional
Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government promotes webinars under “Digital Islands” project
Applications for Estagiar Europa programme open until November 14
Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional
Applications for Estagiar Europa programme open until November 14
May 8, 2026 Europe Day on Flores Island streamed online
January 30, 2026 Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government promotes webinars under “Digital Islands” project
November 2, 2025 Applications for Estagiar Europa programme open until November 14
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Welcome Note

The Regional Directorate for European Affairs and External Cooperation operates under the Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government of the Azores.
 

Welcome to the Regional Directorate for European Affairs and External Cooperation. 

We are the department of the Regional Government of the Azores responsible for conducting the European and external policies pursued by the Azores.

At a European level, we carry out two essential tasks. Firstly, we are responsible for monitoring, coordinating, consulting and overseeing the European affairs that fall under the direct responsibility of specific governmental departments, such as Agriculture, Fisheries, Transport, Taxes, etc.

Secondly, we play an active role in the European interregional cooperation, with special emphasis on the Conference of Presidents of the Outermost Regions and the cooperation in the context of the Macaronesia area.

As regards External Cooperation, we seek to promote and enhance the Atlantic centrality of the Autonomous Region of the Azores and its integration into the International Relations system. Accordingly, we privilege the Region's position in the context of the Transatlantic Relationship and particularly its relations with the United States. Furthermore, we focus on the Region's cooperation with other infra-state and even state entities outside the European space, namely with Cape Verde as well as with Member States and Provinces of the United States, Canada and Brazil, in particular.

Representation Office of the Autonomous Region of the Azores in Brussels more
Europe Day on Flores Island streamed online
Nota de Imprensa
May 8, 2026
Europe Day on Flores Island streamed online
This Saturday, May 9, the island of Flores will host the Europe Day celebrations organised by the Vice-Presidency of the Government of the Azores, through the Regional Directorate for European Affairs and External Cooperation.  The ceremonies, which will take place in both municipalities of the island, can be followed online and in real time, so those interested can watch them via the following links:   9:50 a.m. | Ceremonies at Lajes das Flores Town Hall:   https://youtube.com/live/0Re80kGxPTk?feature=share   5 p.m. | Ceremonies at Santa Cruz das Flores Town Hall:   https://youtube.com/live/eQzfB9bts8Q?feature=share    In addition to the YouTube channel, those who are interested can also follow them on the Facebook page "European Affairs and External Cooperation – Azores," at https://www.facebook.com/AssuntosEuropeuseCooperacaoExternaAcores/. The celebrations include official ceremonies and speeches, cultural events featuring a tribute to poet Pedro da Silveira, a conference, two exhibitions of works created by children and senior citizens, the launch of a postcard, stamp and postmark by CTT (Portuguese Postal Services), as well as the unveiling of a mural celebrating 40 years of European integration. They will be open to the general public and involve the school community, senior citizens, and various local and regional organisations.  These celebrations at the westernmost point of Europe, simultaneously marking Europe Day and the 40th anniversary of Portugal and Spain’s accession to the European Union, highlight the geopolitical and identity-defining role of Outermost Regions within the European project.  The programme of events celebrating Europe Day on the island of Flores is part of the calendar of events marking 40 years of Portugal’s membership of the European Union.  This initiative stems from a partnership between the Vice-Presidency of the Government of the Azores and the Municipal Councils of Santa Cruz das Flores and Lajes das Flores. It has the support of the Flores Basic Education and Secondary School, Santa Casa da Misericórdia das Lajes das Flores, Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Santa Cruz das Flores, “A Jangada” Theatre Group, CTT, and the Angra do Heroísmo Philatelic Society. 
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Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government promotes webinars under “Digital Islands” project
Nota de Imprensa
January 30, 2026
Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government promotes webinars under “Digital Islands” project
The Vice-Presidency of the Government, through the Regional Directorate for European Affairs and External Cooperation (DRAECE), is organising two webinars as part of the project "Digital Islands - Digital Solutions to Empower Island Communities." The first webinar will take place on February 5. It will focus on the theme "E-Governance on the Islands: Architecture for the implementation of digital public services," while the second webinar, entitled "Digital services and communication on the Islands - Access, skills and connectivity," will take place on February 26. Those interested in participating can register at https://turtlco.com/webinar/, where they can also consult the programme and further information. These webinars are part of a series of six online seminars dedicated to e-Governance topics (electronic governance – using information and communication technologies to improve the provision of public services), Cybersecurity and e-Health (digital health – digital tools and solutions that help improve people's health and quality of life). These webinars will cover topics related to e-Health, such as hybrid care, data interoperability, artificial intelligence in healthcare, and digital risks;  e-H: digital services for citizens/businesses, interoperability, digital identities, administrative capacity, data for decision-making in the field of e-Governance, and, within the scope of Cybersecurity, training and capacity building, incident response, policies and compliance (e.g. NIS2) and public-private coordination. Several regional island entities are partners in the project, namely Fryslân (Netherlands); Mallorca, Balearic Islands (Spain); Réunion (France); Åland Islands (Finland); Mayotte (France); South Aegean Region (Greece); Cres-Lošinj Islands (Croatia) and Madeira.
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