The President of the Government said the cooperation protocol signed today with the National Government to certify Lajes Air Base for permanent use by civil aircraft is "another step" that will reinforce the importance of this infrastructure in the economic and social development of Terceira and the Azores.
 
"I hope we are able to complete this process before the two year period, because will be a good sign and, above all, a good result for Terceira Island and the Azores," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
The President of the Government spoke at the signing of the protocol between the Regional Secretariat for Tourism and Transport and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, National Defence and Planning and Infrastructure to certify Lajes Air Base no.4 for permanent use by civil aircraft.
 
Vasco Cordeiro recalled that the official visit of Prime Minister to the Azores, which took place less than three months ago, resulted in the decision to create the conditions so that the airport infrastructure of Lajes could function as a platform for civil aircraft. Hence, this would ensure a more effective contribution to the economic and social development of Terceira and the Azores.
 
This is also one of the measures comprised by the Plan for the Economic Revitalisation of Terceira Island (Preit), presented by the Government of the Azores in January 2015, following the US decision to reduce its military and civilian personnel at Lajes Air Base. The National Government adopted this plan as its guiding document in this matter.
 
"It is with pleasure that today we can say that the developed by the Azorean Government that were implemented or are under implementation already reach 80 percent," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
According to him, the data released about the tourism sector "further encourage the Government to continue its work." This situation is also the result of the work and the measures that have been implemented.
 
"If we compare the first five months of this year with the same period last year, the fact is that there is growth in the number of overnight stays over 130 percent on the island of Terceira. Comparing the first half of 2016 with the first half of 2015, there is also an increase in the number of passengers disembarking on the island exceeded 25 thousand," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
The President of the Government also stressed that the signing of this protocol "is certainly not the conclusion of this process, but it is, without doubt, a necessary step" to effectively turn Lajes Air Base into a factor of development of Terceira and the Azores.
 
"We know well the size of the task that lies ahead us. There are several aspects that will be continued in the work that culminated in the signing of this protocol," Vasco Cordeiro said, reiterating the Government's commitment to continue and complete the process.
 
The Protocol signed today will to lay down the general guidelines for cooperation between the National Government and the Government of the Azores; both have agreed to pursue this certification process.
 
In this context, a monitoring group will be created within the three ministries and the Regional Secretariat for Tourism and Transport. The Ministry of Planning and Infrastructure will be the entity responsible for its coordination.