The Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations, Rodrigo Oliveira, conveyed his satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting with the European Commissioner for Agriculture, held in Brussels today, particularly with regard to some concerns expressed by Outermost Regions and the Azorean Government.

"The European Commission has demonstrated an attitude of openness and the willingness to clarify some concerns raised by Outermost Regions and the Regional Government, especially those regarding the revision of the Rules on POSEI," stated Rodrigo Oliveira at the end of the meeting.

"Commissioner Ciolos conveyed a somewhat reassuring attitude, stating that the European Commission does not intend to propose the end of POSEI programme by integrating it into the general legislation on the Common Agricultural Policy," the Regional Under Secretary stressed, adding that the Government of the Azores has expressed its "full and frontal opposition to any radical or comprehensive reform on POSEI."

The position taken by the Government of the Azores does not exclude "the possibility of improving POSEI in some aspects, including the simplification of procedures; however, these improvements should take into consideration its regulatory autonomy as well as the specificities and the statute of Outermost Regions (RUP)."

In this regard, Rodrigo Oliveira stressed the need to "ensure the stability of the agricultural sector." The government official said that any goal of diversification, which already has significant results in terms of the current legislation, cannot hinder the development of the activities in which ORs - with limited alternatives in terms of production - are more productive and competitive, such as the case of the dairy and meat sectors in the Azores."

According to Rodrigo Oliveira, "it is essential that the public consultation process, associated to a possible regulatory change, be neither succinct nor urgent; this process should take place over a period of time that allows a broad participation of all partners as well as a careful reflection in order to achieve the best results possible."

Providing clarification on some of issues raised by the Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations, the European Commissioner for Agriculture announced that the public consultation document will be concluded after a meeting with representatives of the agricultural sector of ORs, scheduled for next week, and it will be available for consultation for 12 weeks.

The Government of the Azores was satisfied with this decision "as it represents a substantial increase in the period time that was previously established in a Commission's internal document, according to which the consultation process would last until June 7."
 
At the end of the meeting with the European Commissioner for Agriculture, attended by representatives of Outermost Regions and Members of the European Parliament, the Regional Under Secretary also stressed "the spirit of partnership" felt during the meeting. 

According to him, it is "important that this willingness to participate and the consideration shown towards the positions taken by the Regions and their representatives and partners be constant throughout this process in order to safeguard the interests of the agricultural sector of ORs, the income of farmers and the competitiveness of the sector."