The President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro, will participate in the extraordinary meeting of the Permanent Bilateral Commission between Portugal and the United States that will be held in Washington on June 16 to analyse the Lajes Air Base process.

This meeting in the US capital, also involving the Mayor of Praia da Vitória, Roberto Monteiro, takes place following the 33rd meeting of the Permanent Bilateral Commission, held in Lisbon on February 11.

At the time, it was decided to hold another meeting in Washington that will specifically address this issue, following the U.S. decision to significantly reduce its civil and military contingent at Lajes Air Base.

At meeting held on February 11, it was also decided to intensify bilateral consultations with senior officials under the Cooperation and Defence Agreement in order to submit suggestions to the Permanent Bilateral Commission regarding labour issues and infrastructures as well as the measures to benefit the Azores.

Established by the Cooperation and Defence Agreement between Portugal and the USA in 1995, the Permanent Bilateral Commission is the body responsible for the implementation of that agreement and the promotion of cooperation between both countries.