The President of the Government stated in Ponta Delgada that the European Union cannot turn its back on Europeans living in the regions, warning of the dangers of a disinvestment in cohesion policy. According to him, it is the main EU tool directed to regions, taking into consideration job creation, economic growth and sustainable development.
 
"We have to take a strong political position as well as to outline a specific and effective action with European institutions in order to defend solidarity in Europe and the promotion of investment in all our regions. Above all, we must be awake and alert to prevent disinvestment and fragmentation of this EU key policy," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
The President of the Government set out his priorities as President of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR) for the 2016-2018 biennium under the 44th General Assembly of CPMR, after being unanimously re-elected by the Political Bureau of this organisation; the latter is an interregional cooperation body that comprises150 regions from 28 European countries, encompassing nearly 200 million citizens.
 
According to Vasco Cordeiro, "it is essential that the CPMR lead an ambitious vision but also realistic and grounded on the future of Cohesion Policy, focusing on modernisation and simplification of procedures."
 
For the next two years of the new term, the President of the Regional Government also pointed out sea-related policies as one of the priorities of CPMR as well as the issue of accessibility, namely the policies related to the Trans-European Transport Networks; the latter has not contributed to the reduction of structural deficit in the accessibility of peripheral regions. The priorities for the new term also will focus on macro-regional strategies for the strengthening synergies and an integrated approach in the joint development of all regions.
 
In regard to each of these matters, Vasco Cordeiro defended that CPMR should "influence and determine the priorities and policies of the European Union, particularly in view of the discussions of the EU Budget and Framework for the period post-2020. Nevertheless, this organisation should also ensure that policy makers become aware of the specificities of these regions and that the policies adopted are not detrimental to them. In fact, they even strengthen the capacity of each region to foster job creation and economic development."
 
The issue of migration was also mentioned in this speech. The President of the Government noted that CPMR must "warn that this problem is not solely addressed by its effects; it has to be tackled at its source" and, in this regard, we need a "more effective action" on the part of the EU.
 
"Regions are essential for the affirmation of Europe as a project and common ideal," Vasco Cordeiro said, adding that "it is not possible to develop this common project without taking into consideration the specific characteristics of regions as well as the needs and aspirations of their people."
 
"In the Azores, we feel that the Union is still far from achieving this goal. Either in the blind cuts in fishing quotas, an environmentally sustainable activity practised in our seas, or in the total deregulation of the dairy market, Europe cannot turn its back on the Europeans living in regions," said the government official.
 
"Creating problems, providing regional-based solutions and leaving in the hands of regions the responsibility to minimise the damage created by EU policies does not contribute to the success of the European project. It rather reinforces the feeling of abandonment that European citizens increasingly feel about the leaders of institutions," stressed the President of the Government.
 
For his new term as President of CPMR, Vasco Cordeiro stressed that the "joint collaboration spirit" will be the basis of the action to meet challenges and allow this organisation to strengthen "its position of influence and leadership with key players of European institutions.