The Government of the Azores participates in the 10th European Week of Regions and Cities - Open Days to take place in Brussels on October 8 - 11. This initiative is organised by the European Commission and the Committee of the Regions under the theme "Regions and European cities: making a difference."
 
The 2012 edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities will gather about 6,000 participants, including representatives of local, regional and national authorities as well as of European institutions. This initiative is part of a series of seminars and events that will focus on the Europe 2020 Strategy, the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 and future Cohesion Policy. The Regional Government is represented by the Regional Under Secretary for European Affairs and External Cooperation, Rodrigo Oliveira, and the Regional Director for Planning and Structural Funds, Rui Amann.

Under the Azores participation in the Open Days 2012, it should be noted that the seminar "The Union of Innovation for Outermost Regions" is jointly organised by the Azores Presidency of Outermost Regions and the Directorate General for Regional Policy of the European Commission. The conference will be delivered by the Regional Under Secretary for European Affairs and External Cooperation, Rodrigo Oliveira. This event also features the participation of representatives of Outermost Regions: Frédéric Cadet, Vice-President of the Regional Council of Réunion, Marwane Bejgane, Regional Council of Martinique, and Juan Ruiz Alzola, Government of the Canary Islands. Moreover, members of the EU commission will also take part in the seminar: Ana Paula Laissy, Head of the Outermost Regions Unit, John Edwards, Institute of Technology, and Emilie Tack, Director General for Research and Innovation.

The Regional Government participates in the European Week of Regions and Cities for the eighth consecutive year. The Azores have organised and participated in various seminars in addition to taking part in the partnerships "RUP-PLUS Group" in 2005; "The Atlantic as a Factor of Competitiveness" in 2007; "Water-based Competitiveness Network" in 2008; "Network for Creative and Inclusive Economic Growth" in 2009 and 2010; "Maritime Knowledge Network" in 2011.