The President of the Government stated in Lajes das Flores that one of the main challenges the Region is facing concerns its assertion in an increasingly global world, defends that the Azores are able to rival the best in several fields.

"Today, the challenge, which is the result of scientific and technological development and the evolution of societies, is not so much to combat isolation in order to assert ourselves and shorten distances," said Vasco Cordeiro. The President of the Government spoke Monday at the solemn session where the Honorary Commendations of the Municipality of Lajes das Flores were awarded to several personalities. The event was organised on the occasion of the celebrations of the 500th anniversary of that municipality.

Vasco Cordeiro, who was awarded the Municipality’s Honour Key, stressed that one of the great challenges the Azores are facing concerns the way how they will assert themselves in "a world that has rapidly grown smaller and become more global, a world where we all have easier access to Knowledge and new realities."

"The easiest and the most immediate temptation is to focus our attention on ourselves, the President of the Government said, pointing out that the way to overcome this challenge is to resist such temptation, since the Azores - and there are many examples - "have the capacity to assert themselves in a global world and rival the best."

"I believe the awareness that we have this immense power is the best way to build our future as a people and as a region," said the government official.

In order to accomplish this goal, Vasco Cordeiro defended that we must "honour our History" by following the "examples of struggle, tenacity, determination and commitment" of the previous generations of Azoreans.

"This is a fundamental aspect and, for that reason, the Regional Government must work and fight, from a strategic perspective, to implement the measures that can achieve a satisfactory result in this challenge," said the government official.

"If we seize the potential of these opportunities, mechanisms  and policies that are available to achieve this goal, it will be easier to assert ourselves and be proud of our identity, as a Region and as a People, in this increasingly globalised world," Vasco Cordeiro defended, noting that this effort "cannot be undertaken with isolated actions."

In his speech, the President of the Government stressed that he sees the awarding of the Municipality's Honour Key with a "very clear sense that this is a tribute to more than his person; it is mainly addressed to the Government of the Azores for all the work, the effort and the commitment to measures that can support the development of this land."

"I see this distinction, which honours me, as something more than a mere recognition. It is an incentive for us to continue following a path that is not without challenges," said Vasco Cordeiro.