The Regional Directorate for Communities and the Bristol County Sheriff's Office signed a memorandum of understanding this morning, thus establishing the guidelines for collaboration and coordination between both entities regarding the support to Azorean communities residing in the United States of America as well as to the emigrants returning from that country, with special emphasis on those returning from Bristol County.

With regard to the powers stipulated by the memorandum, special emphasis is given to the exchange of information on the reality and needs of Azorean communities residing in the USA, particularly in the State of Massachusetts. It also aims to actively promote the creation, implementation and assessment of programmes targeted at the integration of Azorean communities in the United States. The memorandum of understanding also establishes the exchange of useful information that contributes to the full integration of emigrants in the U.S. and the Azorean emigrants returning to the Azores.

At the occasion, the Regional Director for Communities, Graça Castanho, stressed the "contribution of this document for the institutionalisation of partnership practices and the strengthening of ties between the Azorean Regional and the services of the Sheriff of Bristol."

The Regional Directors for Communities and Youth will be attending the ceremony to deliver a van to Academic Association of the University of the Azores on June 8 at 10 AM.

The van will be delivered by the Bristol County Sheriff at the campus of the University of the Azores by the Academic Association.