The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated in Brussels that the "Azores produces Science of excellence in various fields," stressing that Azorean scientists have the capacity to become members of the major European networks.

Fausto Brito e Abreu spoke at the end of a meeting with the European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, Carlos Moedas, which were addressed various matters of interest to the Region in the fields of science and technology, with special emphasis on the participation of the Azores in European funding programmes.

During the meeting, the Regional Secretary for Science and Technology presented some of the main regional public policies that are being implemented in these areas, namely the Research and Innovation Strategy for the Smart Specialisation of the Azores (RIS3).

"Scientific knowledge and innovation should work as pillars for the development of the Azores," stressed the government official.

The newly-created Office for European Projects of the Regional Fund for Science and Technology (FRCT), which is working exclusively on the preparation of applications for EU funds managed by the European Commission, was another topic under discussion at the meeting between the Regional Secretary for the Sea and the European Commissioner.

According to Brito e Abreu, the strategy implemented by the Regional Secretariat for the Sea, Science and Technology aims to make the Azores "a region of reference for the channelling of the funds available under the Framework Programme for Research and European in the Union Innovation" (Horizon 2020), thus contributing to the diversification of the funding sources of Science and Technology in the Azores.

The Regional Secretary had the opportunity to inform the Commissioner about the European projects that are currently being conducted by FRCT, namely the NETBiome-CSA, oBiodivERsA3 and BEST. He also mentioned an application that was recently submitted in the field biotechnological, with the acronym of CIRCULO AGRI-NET. Its development involves the participation of other regional partners, including the University of the Azores and the São Miguel Agricultural Association as well as 14 European partners from 12 countries.

Brito e Abreu also added that the FRCT is working on a proposal on Waste Management linked to tourism, an action plan for the Sea and on two projects to be submitted under the Life + Programme; the latter are being developed in the field of Climate Change and Nature Conservation