The President of the Government welcomed today the new Consul of the United States of America in the Azores, to whom he expressed his wish of working together so that the relation with the USA may "continue strong and dynamic" despite the challenges it faces, such as the Lajes Air Base process.

"I had the opportunity to reiterate the goal of working for the issues that we have before us so that the relation between the Azores and the USA, which has lasted for decades, may continue strong and dynamic, despite the challenges it faces" said Vasco Cordeiro. The President of the Government spoke after the meeting with Elizabeth Konick for the exchange of greetings.

Speaking to journalists, the President of the Government stressed that one of these challenges is, of course, the issue of the Lajes Air Base. The process has allowed, since the last meeting of the Permanent Bilateral Commission in Washington, the coordination of positions, the creation of solutions regarding the way how the USA will address its presence on Terceira, and safeguard the interests of Portuguese workers.

"We are engaged in the effort despite all the challenges we are facing in this area," Vasco Cordeiro said, pointing out that the Government of the Azores "is carrying out a permanent and regular work on the issue of the Lajes Air Base." However, most of that work is not public, since it stems from contacts that are developed privately.

Earlier this month, the legislative process was concluded at both U.S. Chambers of Congress regarding the Defence Budget for 2016, which requires the drafting of a report on the reassessment of the infrastructures of Lajes Air Base, including the possibility of installing an information centre. The document must be submitted by the U.S. Secretary of Defence by March next year.

"It is natural that we continue this work with the same determination and with the same force that has brought us here," the President of the Government said, stressing that the Regional Government will continue to monitor "all steps to be taken on the situation of Lajes Air Base, wherever they are taken."