The President of the Government of the Azores stated in Angra do Heroísmo on Wednesday that when one mentions the decreasing importance of the Azores and the Lajes Air Base, on the part of the United States, “it is because there are people who have a low self-esteem,” adding that he is sure that “the importance of the Azores is acknowledged.”
Carlos César spoke to the journalists at the end of an audience with the Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Lisbon, David Ballard, who will soon leave office.
With regard to the diplomat, the President of the Government said that “Mr. David Ballard has been a very important member of the US Embassy for the enhancement of the Azores in the context of the diplomatic matters between Portugal and the United States over the last years.
Evoking the historical role and the geographical position of the Region for the recognition of the importance of the Azores in the relation between both countries, the President of the Government added that, even so, “it is always important that someone with responsibilities, particularly on the North American side, may recognise this fact in the context of current relations among the Portuguese State.”
Carlos César acknowledged that the regional authorities have “a very good” relation with the US authorities in Portugal, which is a result of the work carried out by David Ballard.
In turn, the North American diplomat said that the audience also served to present farewell compliments and thank “close cooperation developed with the Regional Government and the Azores in general.”
Questioned by journalists about the current importance of the Lajes Air Base, in a new technological and geo-political context, David Ballard said that “the Azores will always play a very important role for us.”
Moreover, the diplomat said that nowadays this role comprises historical, sociological, political and military aspects that convey the importance of the Azores as well as other important aspects.