The Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations, Rodrigo Oliveira, participates today and Friday in the works of the 99th plenary meeting of the Committee of the Regions taking place in Brussels.

Today's session will focus on the analysis of draft opinions on the themes "Enhancing the Citizenship of the European Union," "Marine Knowledge 2020" and "Renewable Energy in the European Energy Market." It will also feature a paper presented by Lucinda Creighton, Minister of European Affairs of Ireland.

The debate and voting on the draft opinion "Outermost Regions in the context of Europe 2020 Strategy," a subject with direct interest for the Azores, will take place on the second day of works. This day will also be dedicated to the analysis of a legislative package for Cohesion Policy and the presentation of a paper by Joaquin Almunia, Vice-President of the European Commission.

The Committee of the Regions is the EU advisory body representing local and regional authorities. With a total of 344 current members, its mission is to issue opinions on proposals submitted by the European Commission in political areas that are directly related to local and regional authorities.

The Autonomous Region of the Azores is represented at the Committee of the Regions by the President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro, or by an alternate member, who is the Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations.

As part of his visit to Brussels, Rodrigo Oliveira will also participate today, on behalf of the President of the Government, in the RegioStars Awards 2013 ceremony, an initiative promoted by the European Commission to recognise regional projects co-financed by the Cohesion Policy. The Autonomous Region of Azores was the recipient of an award in 2011 in the "Information and Communication" category with the project "Renewal of Capelinhos Lighthouse - Interpretation Centre."

On Friday, the Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations also participates in a meeting of the Conference of Presidents of Outermost Regions of the European Union.