The President of the Government visited today the ARM Station - Atmospheric Radiation Measurement on Graciosa Island, where he highlighted the importance of installing in the Region scientific facilities that strengthen the strategic position of the Azores and promote the development of knowledge and research.

"Its importance for the Region is not just related to the strategic value of the Azores in these areas of knowledge. In fact, it is also related the fact that it acknowledges the value of the University of the Azores, the training provided by this institution as well as the knowledge and research it produces," said Vasco Cordeiro.

After visiting the facilities, where he attended the launch of a weather balloon equipped with a transmitter of atmospheric parameters, the President of the Government stressed that the Government's support to these projects is justified by the strategic value of the Region as well as by the knowledge and research that is being conducted in the Azores.

"We have a tremendous potential in several areas, such as the Sea and climate research, among others. In this context, it is important to create the conditions so that these fields may increasingly contribute to the creation of wealth and employment in the Region," said Vasco Cordeiro.

Besides the ARM project - Climate Research Facility, sponsored by the US National Laboratory, Los Alamos, and the University of the Azores, the archipelago also hosts the  IS42 Infrasound Station, also located on Graciosa island, «the Satellite Tracking Station of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Galileo Sensor Station (GSS); both are located on Santa Maria.