The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations stated today that the Azores have a "strong desire and propensity" to take part in the project of European construction through the sea.
 
Rui Bettencourt spoke at the inaugural conference of the Jean Monnet Chair of "Universidade Nova de Lisboa" (New University of Lisbon) on "EU Integrated Maritime Policy and Blue Growth." On the occasion, he stated that this project is "exciting," highlighting that the sea plays an important role for the Azores and for Europe. In fact, "it brings people together with more development, building a more cohesive future with more quality of life for all European citizens."
 
In his speech, the government official pointed out that the Integrated Maritime Policy is "a key policy for Europe and the Azores," becoming "a fundamental pillar in their development."
 
"The sea, in its many aspects, is central to our regional policies. Fisheries, transport of people and goods, nautical activities, tourism, aquaculture, marine scientific research, environmental conservation and preservation of marine resources are aspects that make the sea a fundamental asset for the Azores," stressed the government official.
 
Rui Bettencourt recalled that the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Azores has an extension of about one million square kilometres, adding that "the Azores are the most maritime region in Europe insofar as their maritime area represents 29% of the European Exclusive Economic Zone and more than half of the Portuguese Zone."
 
In this context, he emphasised the Azores' geographical position as "a strategic point to explore the vast resources of the deep sea."
 
The Regional Secretary also stated that the Government wants to "go even further" in asserting the importance of marine research in the Azores. In this context, the archipelago is "an important region for ocean research" as evidenced by the installation of the Atlantic Observatory Atlantic and the Atlantic International Research Centre - AIR Center.
 
"We are attentive to the potential of the Atlantic Strategy and its plan of action for the Azores," said the government official.
 
Rui Bettencourt also mentioned the fact that the Azores are an Outermost Region, considering this situation a "competitive advantage" towards a convergence to the best European and global standards. This goal is achieved through strategies agreed with other Macaronesian regions and with which the Region has been developing transnational projects of paramount importance.