The President of the Government said today that Regional Autonomy is the tool par excellence for the affirmation of the Azorean people and warned of the risks of jeopardising its success, its importance and results it has secured for the Region over the past 40 years.
 
"Bearing in mind our history, today no one can question that these 40 years of Autonomy represent the cycle of greater development and progress, increased regional and territorial cohesion, strengthening of our collective identity and effective promotion of equal opportunities," said Vasco Cordeiro. The President of the Government spoke at the solemn commemorative session of the Day of the Autonomous Region of the Azores that took place in Vila Franca do Campo.
 
The official commemorations included the bestowal of 38 Azorean Autonomic Commendations that distinguished personalities and institutions. During the event, the President of the Government stressed that we are celebrating a plural and democratic Autonomy that has achieved concrete results for the benefit of the Azorean People, being the result of their democratically expressed will.
 
"Therefore, from this perspective, there can neither be privileges nor increased foundational legitimacies that do not begin or end up in the Azorean People," said the President of the Government. According to him, this Autonomy is the "driving force and the glue that binds together the Azorean People," whether in the progress and economic and social development achieved or in the growing awareness of unity and regional cohesion.
 
In his speech, Vasco Cordeiro also defended the importance of renewing goals and expanding the possibilities for action and intervention of Autonomy, pointing out the democratic participation of citizens, the economic and social development, the promotion of regional interests, and the strengthening of national unity and solidarity among the Portuguese People.
 
With regard to the democratic participation of Azoreans, Vasco Cordeiro stressed some challenges, including the fight against a persistent abstention but, above all, the struggle for a more participating citizenship. It should be more committed and enlightened in its purposes, more demanding in its goals, and more committed and responsible in the implementation of these goals in order to prevent the exercise citizenship from becoming a mere formal act of voting or expressing an opinion.
 
After pointing out that much has been achieved in the Region the in terms of economic and social development, the President of the Government stressed the "ambition and restlessness to respond to short-term challenges," such as those faced by farmers and fishers. Moreover, he also mentioned the need to further increase the demand in responses and solutions to create more and better jobs, boost wealth generation and promote sustainable growth.
 
"We also require demanding responses and solutions that we must provide, not only in the construction of schools, hospitals or health centres but also in the creation of conditions, enhancing their capacity to become regional cohesion tools as well as timely, efficient and available tools at the service of our People on each of our islands, defended Vasco Cordeiro.
 
As for the promotion of regional interests, Vasco Cordeiro stressed that they cannot be limited to the contact and presence in national or European forums or in our emigrant communities. In this regard, the President of the Government defended that the Region should "be present wherever and whenever needed." This applies to the political and institutional contact with other entities, such as federal states or provinces, and, as it recently happened with the resizing process of the US at Lajes Base, when we took up the defence of our interests and our Region with other national entities."
 
"With regard to the strengthening of national unity and solidarity among the Portuguese People, our Autonomy must find new ways of affirmation and intervention, taking with pride and courage our uniqueness but also bearing in mind the fruitful that example that these values should be cultivated and acknowledged," said the President of the Government.
 
In the year when the current legislative period is about to be completed, which was "particularly difficult and demanding" for families and companies, Vasco Cordeiro emphasised the merits of Autonomy as a tool to defend, serve and help the Azorean People.
 
"It is also clear that negative effects of this turbulence were felt on our islands and, in some cases, are still being felt," Vasco Cordeiro said, stressing that the Autonomy has proved to be the "driving force that made us overcome this storm in a more successful path compared to other parts of our country."
 
"Supporting, assisting, mobilising resources, creating and innovating in responses and solutions that, within the limit of our possibilities and powers, have helped us making a difference for families and workers, and even for Azorean companies."
 
In his speech, Vasco Cordeiro stressed, on the other hand, the social cohesion and peace in the Azores, defending that the renewed effort to promote a lively, enlightening but also respectful debate is the responsibility of all.
 
"This debate should resist the temptation, sometimes too present, of vile attacks, personal criticism and depreciation of people," said Vasco Cordeiro, for whom the "the Azorean People demand and deserve more."
 
Addressing to the recipients of the Azorean Autonomic Commendations, the President of the Government considered that these represent the recognition and public tribute to the work, action and contribution to the promotion and defence of the Azores' interests. Furthermore, they also are an "example of a generous People that recognise those who recognise them, cherish who cherishes them and promote who promotes them."