The Regional Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations met in Lisbon with the Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, a meeting which allowed us to take "an important step" regarding the institutional participation of the Azores in the Council of Portuguese Communities.
 
Rodrigo Oliveira conveyed his satisfaction with "the appreciation and recognition" of José Luís Carneiro with regard to Azorean communities as "an important asset in terms of their uniqueness that brings added value to the country." The government official also pointed out "the relevance and the actions developed by the Government of the Azores in their relation with the Diaspora.”
 
"With this understanding, we could take an important step regarding the institutional participation of the Azores in the Council of Portuguese Communities," said Rodrigo Oliveira.                  He recalled that, in 2014, the Government presented a report on the revision of the organisation and functioning of this advisory body of the National Government. It "defended the effective and full representation of Regional Governments as well as the possibility of participation in the World Council of Houses of the Azores; however these fair claims were not taken into account."
 
"Therefore, it is important to highlight the invitation that was addressed for the first time to the President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro, for the next Council of Portuguese Communities as well as the commitment taken at this meeting to invite the World Council of Houses of the Azores, as in accordance with the Regional Government's proposal," said the Regional Secretary.
 
According to Rodrigo Oliveira, the meeting held Tuesday was also "an important opportunity to share information on priorities and measures developed by both governments regarding their relation with the Diaspora."
 
At this meeting, the Regional Under Secretary mentioned the various aspects of the work carried out by the Regional Directorate for Communities within the Azorean Diaspora, "from the assistance to emigrants returning to the archipelago to partnerships with various institutions of the Diaspora in the area of culture, education, social support and, of course, the promotion of 'Azoreanity' and the Region, with special emphasis on the Houses of the Azores. The government official also mentioned the visits to the Azorean communities and a wide range of initiatives and programmes developed by the Regional Secretariat for Communities that, every year, focus on different aspects of the relation between the Azores and their Diaspora."         
 
"This was a very useful meeting that resulted in a clear commitment towards close relation, coordination and complementarity between the Azorean and National Governments with regard to the relation with the Diaspora," said Rodrigo Oliveira.