The Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations assured today in Horta that the XI Regional Government "intends to develop a proximity relation with all social partners."

Rodrigo Oliveira spoke at the Legislative Assembly during the discussion of the Government's Programme. With regard to external relations, the government official stressed that the Government has established a "strategic partnership" with representative institutions of society and the Region as well as with "communities and organisations in the diaspora, comprising several areas: culture, social intervention, universities and economic activities."

This willingness to accept "contributions to mobilise" governmental action is especially relevant in the "search for new opportunities for external cooperation," particularly in the economic and commercial sectors.

Concerning European affairs, the Regional Under Secretary defended "a Europe that strives for the principles of social, economic and territorial cohesion; a Europe fully committed to promoting employment and competitiveness." We need a Europe that is willing to support and invest in the "comparative advantages of each region, in their traditional productions and in the new economic sectors."

Because "we want more Europe in the Azores," said Rodrigo Oliveira, we will implement in the Region "programmes and actions addressed at the dissemination of various issues, including theme years and days dedicated to the European Union." We will also work with schools through a programmed designed "to encourage the creation of European Clubs and the distribution of specific educational materials."

In order for Europe to know the Azores better, the Regional Under Secretary promised to bring "senior political officials and technicians" to the Region.
 
In turn, the Azores will organise in the archipelago "European events on relevant issues, reinforcing the external action of the Azores in the National Government and the Permanent Representation of Portugal to the European Union."

Rodrigo Oliveira stressed that the regional participation in European cooperation bodies "will have increased responsibility" as the Azores belong to the political board of the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions, the Island Commission and the Assembly of European Regions. In the context of the latter, the Azores chair the "well-known" Eurodyssey Programme.

In this regard, he assured that the Azores will defend the inclusion of the positions taken by the Azores and Outermost Regions in EU legislative proposals and political positions in the Committee of the Regions of European Union. Moreover, we will present "the example of Autonomy and defence of Regional Power" in the Council of Europe.
 
As the government official mentioned, "priority status" will be awarded to the relations with Cape Verde in the context of the existing protocols and the Summit of the Macaronesia Archipelagos. The strengthening of relations with this archipelago is intended "explore the new opportunities brought by new EU territorial programmes, hence diversifying  themes and areas of cooperation, particularly commercial and business relations."

The Under Secretary also reiterated his intention to enhance cooperation with states on the East and West coasts of the United States as well as with Southern Brazil and the provinces of Canada "in a relation based on the contribution provided by Azorean communities and their descendants."
 
With regard to the political action in the context of our communities, “we will enhance these essential assets for "Azoreanity," Rodrigo Oliveira said, stressing that the "outposts" of emigrant communities, particularly the Houses of the Azores, will play "a renewed role in the provision of services to their communities as well as in the broad representation of the Region's interests."
 
Furthermore, "we will also promote and support the teaching of Portuguese language in the United States, Canada and Bermuda, using innovative teaching resources and communication channels. This approach will involve the participation of Universities, centres and schools from both sides of the Atlantic," stressed the government official.

The Regional Under Secretary also stressed that immigrant communities and institutions that work with them in the archipelago may rely on the Azorean Government "as a partner in the promotion of their integration and exercise of citizenship that also supports the most vulnerable sectors."

We will also improve public service to support immigrant communities, returned emigrants and future emigrants "in various areas as well as the interdepartmental coordination of the Government," stated the government official.

Concluding, Rodrigo Oliveira said that deportees will "receive special attention" in their integration process and support to the acquisition of the host country citizenship. Meanwhile, several efforts will be carried out towards a "timely and proper monitoring" of these citizens while they are still in their host countries.