The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations highlighted the acknowledgement of PSD on the importance of the strategy designed to involve the Azoren civil society in the development of European policies for the post 2020 period. The Regional Government has begun this initiative over eight months ago, involving the participation of business associations, political parties, social partners, the University of the Azores, professional associations and regional advisory councils, among other organisations.
 
Rui Bettencourt commented on that party's position, according to which the Regional should involve farmers, fishers and entrepreneurs in the debate about the revision of EU policies, tools and measures.
 
However, the Regional Assistant Secretary for External Relations was surprised that the main opposition party failed to recognise this "exemplary and unprecedented process of debate and hearing, to which it has been invited to take part, has been taking place since July. In fact, the Government has anticipated most of hearing processes, both internal external, with three conferences/debates, four prospective workshops and several meetings involving entities in the political, social and economic areas.
 
"It is also strange that the aforementioned party has failed to notice the various external actions developed by the Government on the preparation of the next financial framework, the Cohesion Policy after 2020 and the acknowledgement of Outermost Regions, particularly of the Region," added the government official.
 
In this regard, the Regional Assistant Secretary stressed "the ongoing work to prepare the Forum on Outermost Regions in March last year and, above all, the extensive ambitious Memorandum for ORs, which was presented to President Juncker. This is a structuring document in the context of European measures, actions and policies for the Azores."
 
The government official pointed out other important documents such as the report to, the European Parliament drafted by MEP Younos Omarjee, "who was very supportive in the defence of Outermost Region and earned the support of the Azorean Government." Moreover, he mentioned the Clavijo Report, "which was supported and promoted by the Azores; the Region also took part in its preparation." This report was presented this week to the Committee of the Regions, having been approved unanimously.
 
"We are surprised that PSD did not notice what everyone has noticed: the firm position taken by the Regional Government in the defence of the Cohesion Policy, POSEI and post-2020 funding before the Commissioner for Regional Development and the President of the European Commission at the Conference of Presidents of the Outermost Regions held in Guyana last October." The government official also mentioned "the different and constant positions taken by the President of the Regional Government at the Committee of the Regions and in several Community and national bodies," stressed the government official.
 
Regarding POSEI, Rui Bettencourt pointed out that "one of the most important factors for the recognition of its importance was the evaluation report of this programme, which was addressed by the European Commission to the European Parliament on December 15, 2016. In fact, the report made a positive assessment of this specific programme for Outermost Regions."
 
"This positive assessment allowed us to expect the maintenance and even the increase of POSEI funds. It was not positive by chance, but because this programme was efficiently conducted and defended by the Azorean Government, in addition to being efficiently implemented by the Azores, " said the Secretary.
 
"In order to share these important European matters and their action, the Azorean Government has been inviting the Azores to get involved in this process for several months and, acting responsibly, has requested the Legislative Assembly a debate on post-2020 policies."