The President of the Government conveyed today the Government's availability in taking part in a solution for the participation of Azorean teams in national football competitions under the reform on national sports competitions; however he refused the fact that the Region has to bear all the costs related to the principle of territorial continuity.
"The Government of the Azores has a very clear position: it is available to be part of this solution, but the Region is not willing to fully support the financial burden and the assurance of the principle of territorial continuity," said Vasco Cordeiro after welcoming the President of the Portuguese Football Association (FPF), Fernando Gomes.
After the meeting held in Ponta Delgada, the President of the Government stressed that several contacts will be established in the context of this project.
"We believe there is still a long way to go in this area and there are some aspects which, if properly analysed, could contribute to the successful outcome of this issue," stressed Vasco Cordeiro. According to him, the FPF has the "duty to safeguard and ensure the implementation of the principle of territorial continuity."
Vasco Cordeiro revealed that the Government has expressed this concern on several occasions as "one cannot create a greater distance than that nature has imposed."
After the meeting, which was also attended by the Vice-President of FPF, Rui Manhoso, and director Pedro Resendes (Pauleta), Vasco Cordeiro reiterated that sport is one of the areas the Government of the Azores has considered a vehicle for the promotion of the Region and its external viability.