The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations stated in Ponta Delgada that the Autonomy of the Azores "is up-to-date and quite modernised," highlighting that it can "mobilise" people to participate in defining what they want for their future.
 
"The Autonomy of the Azores is the structure of a governance model that provides a more effective and legitimate response of proximity to citizens," said Rui Bettencourt. The government official spoke Tuesday at a conference on "Autonomy and Regional Government" under the 5th Intensive Safety and Defence Course - Azores 2017/2018.
 
The government official spoke to the auditors of the course promoted by the National Defence Institute. According to him, Autonomy "clearly conveys Azorean identity, allows the exercise of self-government and promotes the welfare of its people." On the occasion, he highlighted the relevance of some challenges that Autonomy in the Azores is currently facing.
 
For Rui Bettencourt, Autonomy is undergoing a "gradual and dynamic process of enhancement,” as the Sea will be the major challenge in coming years. This area is "fundamental" for the Azores due to economic reasons, namely the development of the blue economy concept, but also due to transport and logistics issues and the archipelago's geostrategic position.
 
"It will be necessary to analyse the issue of governance and management of maritime zones in the next steps," the Regional Secretary said, emphasising that Community laws have also raised questions about Sea governance.
 
It will be necessary to find ways to reconcile this "co-regulation in Sea governance among the National Government, the Region and the European Union," Rui Bettencourt stressed, adding that this "has to be rethought and further clarified."
 
Therefore, the Secretary for External Relations defended the implementation and clarification of issues related to the management of maritime zones under national sovereignty or jurisdiction in accordance with international law.
 
In turn, the government official defended the adoption of mechanisms, within the Electoral Law, that will "strengthen civic participation with a view to promoting an effective fight against abstention."
 
In this context, he stressed that Autonomy "should strengthen mechanisms for citizenship and democratic participation of citizens," ensuring the "improvement" of the voter/elected officials in terms of "increased proximity" at a moment when citizens are moving away from politics.