The President of the Government conveyed his belief that the Region and the country can benefit from the potentialities of the geostrategic position of the Azores. However, he warned that Portugal "cannot regard Autonomy as an obstacle or a hindrance."

In fact, "Portugal cannot regard the Autonomy of the Azores as an obstacle or a hindrance in this path, but rather as driving force that can help the country moving forward and be at the forefront in the Atlantic projection and strategy to defend its interests," said Vasco Cordeiro. The government spoke during a conference held under the Advanced Course on National Defence - 2013/2014 and the 3rd Course on Security and Defence in the Azores.

Speaking before the auditors of the courses organised by the National Defence Institute, the President of the Government stressed that the Azores still have a "role to play in History" that may be related to the Sea, knowledge and border protection or to the provision of trade and energy services.

"It is my belief that the Region and the country can great benefit from the full geostrategic potential of the Azores, especially if we take into

consideration its historical and diplomatic role, based on the long-time presence of the U.S. military contingent on Terceira, and the emergence of other areas that can boost these potentialities," said Vasco Cordeiro.

The President of the Government pointed out that these challenges are not limited to the mere interest of the Azores. In this context, Vasco Cordeiro conveyed his belief that "the way how we and the major national political actors will recognise the importance of this task and the role of the Azores in this process may define our identity as a Nation at an international level in the coming decades."

"As President of the Government, I have the responsibility to emphasise that our Autonomy has never been detrimental to Portugal under any circumstances. Indeed, I am sure that the country, not wanting or knowing to use its potentialities, was responsible for its self-limitations," said the government official.

In his speech, the President of the Government recalled that the geostrategic position of the Azores has long been considered as an opportunity for the assertion of Portugal in the World and the enhancement of partnerships and alliances to face new challenges emerging in this area.

In this regard, Vasco Cordeiro pointed out the expansion of the Panama Canal, which lead to an increase in international maritime traffic in this area of the Atlantic, and ongoing negotiations between the European Union and the United States for the establishment of a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; the latter will further increase trade relations between the world's two largest trading blocs.
 
"In turn, the project for the Extension of Portuguese Continental Shelf is being developed in the Azores Sea. The research, which is at an advanced stage, has revealed the extraordinary wealth of resources that can be used by the Region and the country as well," stressed Vasco Cordeiro.

This body of evidence and the unstable situation of Ukraine - the confrontation of both sides of Europe - "clearly demonstrates the central position of the Azores at the intersection between Europe and the United States as well as its potential as a border, a support point or as an Atlantic hub," noted the President of the Government.