The Regional Secretary for the Environment and the Sea mentioned today in Santa Cruz das Flores the fact that the Representative of the National Government has successively submitted regional legislation on prospecting and geological exploration of marine resources in the Azores sea to supervision.

"The Representative of the National Republic agrees with the Regional Government in the fact that the law is constitutional and respects the limits of the Region's powers," Álamo Meneses stressed, regretting that the matter has been successively taken to the Constitutional Court for the revision of some rules. Nevertheless, the government official said that this situation "might be enlightening."

The form how the process was conducted "allows its immediate resolution," with the publication of the legislation. Furthermore, it also clarifies the Region's powers in the future, "although the Government believes" that this matter "falls within the Region's powers and, therefore, we cannot neglect it."

The Regional Secretary also emphasised that "the most important was being able to take a position, exercise our powers and approve the legislation and we have managed to accomplish our goals. Now, we must clarify our position in the future."