The President of the Government defended in Horta a "true pedagogy" of Autonomy in the country with the aim of clarifying, fighting against prejudice and appease distrust in relation to this project that brought, over some 40 years, concrete benefits and goals for the Azorean population.
 
"The truth obliges us to recognise that there is something that takes time and I believe that our country and the Portuguese society as a whole are lacking after four decades of autonomous experience: a true pedagogy of Regional Autonomy," said Vasco Cordeiro at the solemn session of the Region's Day.
 
The President of the Government spoke at the Legislative Assembly, during a ceremony presided over by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. According to him, this national pedagogy allows is to fulfil, "more than expressing faith in the dogma of the Unitary State, the goal that Autonomy has as its own, that is, the strengthening of national unity and solidarity ties among the Portuguese people."
 
In this session, which was also marked by the bestowal of Honorary Commendations upon 30 personalities and institutions, the President of the Government highlighted the results and concrete benefits provided by the Autonomy to the Azorean people in about 40 years.
 
"Only these results, which are reflected in our everyday life, would be enough to justify - if this were necessary - the enormous success of Autonomy, not only for the Azores but also for the country. In short span of a few decades, it has seen this region to take a leap of unparalleled development in history," said the government official.
 
As I have said, it is now important to ask what this Autonomy will guarantee to the Azores in the next decade, a prospective concern that is "essential to keep this Autonomy of results alive as well as its dynamics."
 
"We cannot come to the conclusion that, 40 years later, Autonomy has been exhausted as a privileged means of safeguarding progress, economic and social development and the well-being of those for whom it is intended," warned Vasco Cordeiro.
 
In his speech, the President of the Government also considered that, while it is true that Autonomy should not be confused with a "mere plan to promote the nine islands," it is also true that the Region still faces structural challenges, which, if surpassed, "will prepare the Azores to face the next decades with the necessary conditions of renewed confidence and hope."
 
"But this path cannot be followed by us, Azores, and much less by facing obstacles and constraints imposed by those who do not understand or do not want to understand that the development of the Azores is the development of Portugal. They do not want to understand that improving the living conditions of these islands or of an Azorean family is to improve the living conditions of a part of the national territory and of a family that is also Portuguese," stressed Vasco Cordeiro.
 
According to Vasco Cordeiro, these structural challenges should be assumed as a "national goal, not as a kind of concession, benefit or favour to an Autonomous Region, but as a committed, shared and assumed strategy by the country."
 
In this context, the President of the Government pointed out three examples in which this approach should be put into practice, such as the case of Lajes Air Base and its effects on the economy, society and the environment as well as the possibilities in the exploration of sea resources and how the Region can take action, decide and benefit. He also mentioned the possibilities for cooperation and relations with external infra-state entities, whether they are provinces, states or cooperation organisations, if the country enhances its Regional Autonomy as a factor of attraction, commitment and partnership.
 
Furthermore, Vasco Cordeiro considered that, in each one of the life paths of the Azoreans distinguished with the Autonomic Commendations, the "determination, the rigour, the example of dedication to others, the professionalism or the mastery we want to increase and multiply as an inspiring example."