The Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations stressed the "fundamental role" played by youngsters in the construction of the European project as well as the importance of an active citizenship. In this regard, the government official called for the participation of youngsters in the participation in the European elections to be held on May 25.

"I call Azorean youngsters to exercise their citizenship and bring to their homes their knowledge, the debate and the awareness on the importance of Europe in the life of us all," stated Rodrigo Oliveira at the session to celebrate Europe Day on S. Roque do Pico, where he participate on behalf of the President of the Government.

Rodrigo Oliveira stressed that "youngsters are called play a key role as the future of the construction of Europe, the Autonomy of the Azores and Democracy in Portugal belongs to them." Therefore, it is important that they "exercise their right to vote in the elections to the European Parliament, bearing in mind that it is a duty of citizenship and a solemn moment in the exercise of the Democracy we achieved 40 years ago."

In his speech, the Regional Under Secretary stated that "the reconciliation and lasting peace brought by the European project to the Old Continent and the development and progress the European Union provided to its States and Regions should duly highlighted; however they cannot be taken for granted."

"There has been a significant change in the core values of the European project in recent years," the government official stressed, adding that austerity policies and the supremacy of economic values "have considerably weakened the confidence of European citizens in the EU project and solidarity in Europe."

For Rodrigo Oliveira, "the foundations of European solidarity were seriously called into question by new classifications and divisions which some tried to impose between the North and South, between debtors and creditors, between the centre and periphery.

"These are serious dangers that the European project faces nowadays. In order to overcome them, we should refocus the construction of the European Union on cohesion, common prosperity, solidarity and the search for solutions to European peoples - all peoples in Europe - and avoid privileging some in detriment of others. In this context, the fight against unemployment and the promotion of opportunities to youngsters if of particular importance," stressed the Regional Under Secretary.

"Europe will only surpass this moment if it manages to find a new generation of political action that will not only focus on the rigour of public management, but also on growth, employment promotion and social cohesion."

"There are various challenges that we - Europeans - have to face and provide an adequate response to them within our reach. However, we cannot forget the main pillars to which the European Union the construction of peace, progress and development," said the Regional Under Secretary. The government official added that "several decades after the implementation of this ambitious collective project, there are still many challenges to overcome."