The Regional Director for Communities defended in Angra do Heroísmo the "importance of the active citizenship of migrants to the development of the Azores," stressing that the work done by the Regional Government and its partners in the promotion of integration and cultural diversity "contributes to the healthy coexistence between peoples and the strengthening of regional cohesion."

"The dual nature of migrations, either emigration or immigration, is part of the history of the Azorean people, being an important factor in the opening of the archipelago to the world. This is clearly evident in the dynamics of the Azorean communities in the Diaspora as well as in the rich cultural mosaic that is taking shape in the archipelago with a group of immigrants from 75 different nationalities," said Paulo Teves. The government official spoke during the celebrations of the International Migrants Day last Thursday.

For the Regional Director, "this valuable human asset deserves a constant and careful attention in the search for solutions to promote the integration of emigrants and immigrants into various host societies, which has been the hallmark of the Azorean Government." As he added, “we should also create spaces for the expression of migrants' identity in order to provide them with the opportunity to preserve the ties to their roots."

In his speech, Paulo Teves highlighted the expansion of regional partners in the development of initiatives aimed at migrants, noting, on the one hand, "the increasing awareness to these citizens' needs" and, on the other hand, "the growing importance of the role played by migrants in the social and cultural progress of different societies."

Moreover, Paulo Teves stressed the increase in the number of Portuguese courses for immigrants held in 2014 as well as the opening of a immigrant support office on the island of Pico and the support provided to these citizens by the services of the Regional Directorate for Communities throughout the archipelago. The government official also pointed out the numerous activities organised with the aim of "promoting interculturalism."

"On this day, we want to pay our tribute to all those who left the islands and brought the Azores to other places and to those who made this land their new home, offering us a multicultural society," said the government official.

The celebrations of the International Migrants Day, held on the island of Terceira, were jointly organised by the Government of the Azores and AIPA - Azores Immigrant Association with the support of Angra do Heroísmo City Hall. The event was attended by 150 returned emigrants and immigrants. It featured several music performances from Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola, Moldova and the Azores.