The Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations said in Ponta Delgada that the State has the "clear obligation" to boost its strategic assets, such as the Lajes Air Base and the "vast maritime area" of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

"Hence, one of the first obligations of the State is to acknowledge the value of its strategic assets, which include, in the case of Portugal, the military structure on the island of Terceira and the vast maritime area of the Autonomous Region of the Azores," Rodrigo Oliveira stressed, mentioning the obligations arising from the new Strategic Concept of National Defence.

"Being sure of its historical role and its continuous contribution to the projection of the State's military forces, Portugal, unlike other countries, overlooked its efforts to search for new areas and renovate its usefulness in the context of bilateral relations," said the government official.

In this regard, the Regional Under Secretary said that defending the importance of that military base is an obligation "that should have always prevailed in the strategic options taken by the State, as an assurance of the bilateral relation between Portugal and the USA."

Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the 3rd Course on Security and Defence in the Azores, Rodrigo Oliveira recalled that Portugal has recently approved a new Strategic Concept of National Defence that establishes "a privileged space for the consideration of the Atlantic territory and, in particular, for its contribution to the assertion of Portugal in the World."

For the regional agency, the geostrategic "potential" of the Azores is "evidenced in several occasions when other parties - sometimes better than us - have managed to seize the political and defence benefits arising from the geographical position of the archipelago." In this context, the government official pointed out the establishment of a naval base during World War I or the negotiations with the British allies that have led to the military presence in the Azores at the end of World War II. Both cases "embody the geostrategic importance of the Region, which has been renewed and maintained over the following decades, particularly with the signing of Agreements with the United States regarding their presence and use of Lajes Air Base."

In his speech, Rodrigo Oliveira stated that the "second obligation of the State" concerns the "investment in its external perception," such as economic relations, science, research, natural and energy resources."

"Portugal should assume, through the Autonomous Region of the Azores - its geographical location and infrastructures -, a pivotal role in the Atlantic international trade as a result of the maritime links to be established with the expansion of the Panama Canal and the intensification of trade. In addition, this role becomes even more relevant due to the trade agreements signed between the European Union and Canada, the United States or Mercosul," defended Rodrigo Oliveira.

Furthermore, the Under Secretary noted the "clear recognition" of EU institutions regarding the role played by Outermost Regions as "outposts" of Europe in the world and in several areas, including international security.

In this context, the government official recalled the report drafted by the EU Parliament on the maritime dimension of the Common Security and Defence Policy which points out to the existence of potentialities yet to be explored at Lajes Air Base; it may be used for specific naval and air operations, especially those targeted to fight terrorism and piracy.

"We cannot forget to mention that the State also has the fundamental obligation of meeting the expectations of those who have served its safety and defence goals, through their ability of cooperating and working with other nationalities for more than six decades," stated Rodrigo Oliveira. The government official added that "the Stated should not be passive towards the lack of answers, the lack of presence or communication."

"To those, the State has the responsibility of providing the conditions that assure the compensation and mitigation of the economic and social impact that might occur," defended the Regional Under Secretary.

Rodrigo Oliveira recalled Portugal owes its geographical centrality in the transatlantic community "to the Autonomous Region of the Azores - its location and its land and sea territories."

When mentioning the Atlantic vocation of Portugal as a structural goal, "the acknowledgement of the geostrategic position of the Azores as well as their infrastructural and human resources should be regarded as a national goal and an obligation of the State."