The President of the Government received the Committee on Environment, Spatial Planning, Decentralisation, Local Power and Housing of the National Assembly in Ponta Delgada last Sunday to discuss, among other topics, the decentralisation process proposed by the National Government.
 
"As for the definition of decentralisation solutions for the whole country, it is important to take into account the existence of another level of power in the case of the Azores and Madeira - regional power - which should be considered in this new configuration of powers," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
The President of the Government spoke at the end of the audience, stressing that the Regional Government acknowledges the "value and merit" of this decentralisation option and follows with great interest the specific development of this matter.
 
"We are following with interest what has been announced by the National Government as a goal towards decentralisation. We should take into account that the situation in Autonomous Regions has some specificities with regard to the national situation, precisely because of the existence of a regional level of power," said the President of the Government.
 
Speaking to journalists, Vasco Cordeiro stated that, during the meeting, he had the opportunity to convey to the members of the National Assembly how the Azorean Government regards the environmental component under the Lajes Air Base process.
 
"Once labour matter are solved, this is also a priority. We recognise, however, that at this stage there are a number of players that have changed in the U.S. administration and, naturally, it is necessary for these new players to have the time to review and become acquainted with this matter so that we may continue our work," said the President of the Government.
 
These efforts aim to raise awareness for the importance of this matter, not only at the political level in the relation between Portugal and the United State, but also from a practical and very specific perspective for the Azores and, in particular, for the island of Terceira.
 
Vasco Cordeiro also highlighted the importance of the visit of the members of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment, Spatial Planning, Decentralisation, Local Power and Housing to the archipelago insofar as it allows them to become better acquainted with the reality of the Region.
 
"Some of the matters that fall within the powers of the Committee are overseen by regional authorities. Nevertheless, this should not overshadow the merit and relevance of the of committee members to become better acquainted with the reality of the Azores," said Vasco Cordeiro.