At the meeting with the Prime Minister, the President of the Azorean Government called for an "unyielding defence" of the Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy in the context of negotiations with European institutions on the next EU multiannual financial framework for the post-2020 period.
 
"We call for an unyielding defence of the importance of the Cohesion Policy as the Union's investment tool as, indeed, the Prime Minister has done under various circumstances. This policy is directly linked to the accomplishment of European project' goals towards the promotion of economic, social and territorial cohesion," said Vasco Cordeiro after the meeting with António Costa.
 
Speaking to journalists at the National Assembly, the President of the Government stressed that, with regard to the Common Agricultural Policy, we must "continue playing an extremely important role in the vitality of our rural communities in the future."
 
"In the Azores, there is a special circumstance concerning milk production, which also faced several challenges, namely the end of milk quotas. Therefore, this policy should continue to provide mechanisms to help Outermost Regions following their path in the sector and being a factor of convergence and development," said the President of the Government.
 
Still in the agricultural sector, Vasco Cordeiro conveyed to António Costa the need to maintain and strengthen POSEI Agriculture after 2020. As for Fisheries, POSEI should be recovered as a specific programme in this sector.
 
At today's meeting, Vasco Cordeiro also intended to discuss the position of the Azores with António Costa regarding the next multiannual financial framework of the European Union. On the occasion, the President of the Government highlighted the component of the Sea, noting the fact the area of the Azores covers an extension of one million square kilometres. This clearly shows the importance of Community maritime policies in the country.
 
The financing rates were another issue under analysis at the meeting. In this regard, Vasco Cordeiro considered that, given the provisions of Treaty and recent rulings of Court of Justice of the European Union, there is every reason for a differentiated treatment regarding Outermost Regions (ORs) in the next multiannual framework.
 
Moreover, the President of the Government pointed out that the Azorean Government "is clearly aware" of what is at stake in this process, warning that there are two contradictory circumstances at European level.
 
"On the one hand, there is a reduction of financial resources resulting from Brexit and, on the other hand, there is an expansion of the areas in which the European Union wants to respond, namely security, defence and migrations policies," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
The President of the Government also highlighted this meeting as a clear signal, calling the Azores to take part in this process to strengthen participation in defining the positions of the Portuguese State on Community funding for the period after 2020.