Carlos César said on Wednesday afternoon that the Government of the Azores has ideas, projects and the desire to recreate, innovate and change the measures taken to combat the difficulties caused by the international crisis.

However, he lamented that, during the debate generated by the interpellation raised by PSD to the Regional Government on the economic and social situation, the questioning party - contrary to other representatives of the opposition - has neither presented “a proposal nor a suggestion.”

Emphasising that we cannot assess the progress or the regression of a region such as the Azores separately, but with all the effects which are imposed by its integration in an increasingly global world, Carlos César pointed out the inconsistency of arguments presented by PSD, which simultaneously sought to ignore “what is happening outside the Region” and downplay the growth rates of the Azores which are higher than the ones of Madeira, Mainland Portugal and the European Union.

Carlos César insisted on the idea that, despite the difficulties still experienced in the Azores, there are already signs of recovery, which are reflected in the economic indicators of important areas such as the companies’ non-fulfilment of social security obligations, the increase in cement consumption, car sales, consumption of electricity for industrial purposes, trade and services, the milk delivered to dairy factories, slaughtered livestock and in the regional production of cheese, among others.

“Taking into account this analysis, we must bring to the Azorean people a sign of confidence, a light to overcome the most difficult situation as we are experiencing the effects of this crisis in the Azores,” Carlos César said, adding that the Government will continue to work to reverse that situation as soon as possible.

But, in addition to the Legislative Assembly, the President of the Government also considers that municipalities –especially the larger ones - should not be involved in this effort, paying promptly to building companies, without smothering or pressing them.

Reiterating that the current crisis is not solely dependent on the Government, Carlos César assured that “if it was solely depended on us, we would have overcome it, as we have overcome the crisis in 1996, justifying his belief that with the good health of the regional public finances, which ensures the maintenance of a high volume of investment.

“We have more than 232 million Euros invested in ongoing works and in the provision of services in the region. Moreover, we will launch contract works in an amount over 160 million by June 30. Therefore, the government is also contributing to the increase in the sales of the private sector in order to create and maintain jobs,” stressed Carlos César.

Concluding his speech, Carlos César said that he would like that “our politicians be more confident, not only in their capacities as well the capacity of the Azorean people to overcome this crisis” and lamented that PSD “has not presented any solution, having adopted the same attitude, a wailing and complaining attitude.