The President of the Government defended in Ponta Delgada the importance of enlightened and demanding citizens in preventing situations related to corruption and economic and financial crime. This battle has to be fought in the field of citizenship and education.
 
"I believe it is especially important that this issue be addressed in the field of education and citizenship. Before the intervention of Justice, we, as a society, must deal with this phenomenon at the level of citizenship," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
At the opening session of the 5th Azorean Law Conference on the theme "Evidence of Corruption and Financial Crimes," the President of the Government recommended that these phenomena should be included in this plan. In addition to instilling in each citizen the devaluation and the censorship for this type of behaviour, it will also promote a society of "enlightened, participating, vigilant and demanding citizens, who will provide a valuable contribution to the fight against such crimes."
 
"I am one of those who thinks that society as a whole and, in particular, through its representative institutions, has devoted time and resources to deal with the final phase of this phenomenon. However, we believe there is still room for progress in a fight that, through citizenship, will lead to the effective prevention" of this type of crime, stressed the government official.
 
When this type of crime comes to justice, society, as a whole, is already dealing with "symptoms, effects, consequences and behaviours that undermine important values of our life in community," among which the "health, credibility and quality of Democracy," noted the President of the Government.
 
There are recent examples in several parts of the world" of what is, perhaps, the exploitation of these phenomena leading to the emergence of "providential men," said Vasco Cordeiro. In this regard, he called for the "need to be aware of what this may influence our collective experience and democracy in the subversion and deterioration of representation mechanisms."
 
At this opening session, Vasco Cordeiro also assured that the Autonomous Region of the Azores is always available to participate, collaborate, from a political standpoint, in creating the conditions so that this part of the national territory may have the tools for the correct application of justice.
 
"However, there is something that is becoming more difficult for the Regional Government and for me, as President of the Government, to accept: the believe that this willingness to collaborate as the replacement of the one that is, first and foremost, a duty of the State," stated the President of the Government.