The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport said this afternoon that the European Commission's proposal  provides the improvement of port operations in 319 major maritime ports, including four Azorean ports (Lajes das Flores, Horta, Praia da Vitória and Ponta Delgada), and their connection to transport networks. This proposal "evidence the importance of the Regional Government's actions and the investments carried out in these infrastructures."

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Government's statutory visit to the island of Corvo, Vítor Fraga pointed out that this proposal "focuses on the efficiency of ports" and will simultaneously provide them with the financial mechanisms that will allow them to improve their conditions "either in terms of infrastructures or in terms of operating conditions. Hence, we will be able to have a transport network that will meet the goals we believe to be fundamental for the future: the existence of integrate transport at a European level and the inclusion of the Azores in this network."

Reminding the importance of this proposal, the Regional Secretary underlined that "it is not an end," but "a stage in a path we want to continue to follow with the work that has been carried out, especially now with the comprehensive analysis on the proposals submitted by the European Commission that will be worked on."