The President of the Government highlighted in Fall River the importance of new areas of cooperation between Portugal and the United States in the field of science and research. However, he warned that this does not limit the need to find a good solution for the economic and environmental impacts, following the U.S. decision to reduce its presence at Lajes Air Base.
 
"We have taken very significant steps towards the consolidation of this relation from the perspective of knowledge. If is true that we fully share this perspective, it does not restrain the effects of the decision taken by the U.S. Air Force. It also leaves room for essential aspects: the economic and environmental components of this decision," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
The President of the Government spoke Sunday at a meeting with the Portuguese-American Leadership Council of the United States (PALCUS), held under the Holy Spirit Festivities of New England, where he participated as Guest of Honour.
 
Vasco Cordeiro stressed that it is necessary to always emphasise the need for a good solution in the environmental and economic components, without prejudice to new cutting edge areas for the development of this bilateral relation.
 
"It is a fact that the relation between Portugal and the United States is not limited to Lajes Air Base, but the relation between Portugal and the United States concerning Lajes Air Base is one of its main pillars. If this pillar is broken, nothing will be as before," Vasco Cordeiro said, pointing out that it was also the awareness of this importance that has led to the efforts undertaken by the Regional Government and a number of other entities on this process.
 
"I recall the work that was carried out in conjunction with state and federal political representatives, which allowed us to establish the "coalition of friends of the Azores"; the latter has led us, to a large extent, to influence a decision that was not within our powers," noted Vasco Cordeiro.
 
In this regard, the President of the Government stressed that, as for the situation of Portuguese workers, there has not any redundancy since all terminations were by mutual agreement. In fact, more Portuguese workers have been hired to Lajes Air Base.
 
At this meeting, Vasco Cordeiro said the Azores have lived these past four years a very challenging situation from a social and economic standpoint, which has put a great strain on families and companies.
 
"We have assume, from the very beginning, the responsibility to provide the best possible response to these situations of greater difficulty within our reach, leaving no one behind," through a support network established in partnership with hundreds of private institutions, assured Vasco Cordeiro.
 
Under his participation in the Holy Spirit Festivities, the President of the Government visited Saturday the House of the Azores of New England, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary; he met with the Board and associates.
 
On Sunday, Vasco Cordeiro attended the Solemn Coronation Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Mary and took part in the Coronation Procession in the city of Fall River.