Government of the Azores attentive to implementation of Community policies, says Rui Bettencourt
The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations stated in Kourou, French Guiana, that the Azores will pay "the utmost attention to the accessibility and implementation" of European Union funds in order to verify that "intentions are being tuned into action."
Rui Bettencourt spoke on behalf of the President of the Government of the Azores at the internal sessions of the 22nd Conference of Presidents of the Outermost Regions. He mentioned the "reinforced and renewed strategic partnership" for Outermost Regions presented this week by the European Commission. It provides for the maintenance of support for these regions, such as POSEI, and proposes to strengthen their access to the European Investment Fund and the EU Solidarity Fund.
The Regional Assistant Secretary for External Relations conveyed the Regional Government's satisfaction with the new EU Commission's Communication, as it defines a renewed strategy for Outermost Regions, as well as with other components mentioned in the document. However, he stressed "two aspects" that deserve the Government's concern and utmost attention.
"The Government of the Azores is surprised by the lack of clear references in this communication regarding the cohesion policy for Outermost Regions," said Rui Bettencourt. Moreover, he mentioned the Azores' concern "on governance issues, namely on the clarification of the partnerships identified," defending that "political responses can be differentiated."
The government official added that the autonomous statute of the archipelago defines the powers of the Region and those of the State and that the Azores intend to coordinate the structuring of Community action with national and Community partners. In this regard, he expressed the Region's interest to "assume its powers."
"We should not start with a strategy and a model of governance focused on a pivotal position of the State and that does not take into account the powers already established," stressed the Regional Secretary.
According to Rui Bettencourt, "the sharing of powers indicated for the implementation of measures" in areas such as fisheries, the sea or energy "are not and will not be those indicated in the Communication."
"As for the structuring, implementation and in implementation process of the strategy" outlined by this new Communication, at a time when EU key issues are being defined, such the Cohesion Policy post 2020, the Azores wish that the work of consultation and partnership "be carried out in every step, including in the legislative process," concluded the Region Secretary.