The Regional Government reiterated at the Permanent Bilateral Commission of Lajes Air Base Agreement that the reduction U.S. military forces at Lajes should preserve as many jobs held by Portuguese workers as possible and safeguard the situation of workers affected by this situation under the mechanisms provided in Labour Agreement and the existing legislation.

Before the officials of the U.S. Embassy, the Department of Defence and the Department of State, the representative of the Azorean Government to the Bilateral Commission reminded the severe economic and social impact of this situation for workers and the island of Terceira if the U.S. Administration fails to adopt the necessary measures to mitigate this situation.

After recalling the important contribution provided by the Azores to the bilateral relation between Portugal and the USA, Francisco Tavares emphasised the position taken by the President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro, on this matter at several occasions.

The decision of reducing the presence of U.S. military forces in Lajes does not affect the relation between both countries, but the way how it will be implemented and the care taken by the U.S. Government when dealing with the social and economic impact.

Francisco Tavares also defended that the USA should positively respond to the priorities on the labour issues regarding the restructuring process that have been raised by the Government of the Azores and other entities.

The developments expected from a visit made by a delegation of Business Executives for National Security to the island of Terceira and the Government's commitment to attract private investments to that island were other matters under discussion at the meeting of the Permanent Bilateral Commission held in Washington.