The President of the Government of the Azores was elected President of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR), an interregional cooperation body that is made up of 150 regions and 28 Member-States, encompassing nearly 200 million European citizens.

The election of Vasco Cordeiro for the 2014-2016 term was held by secret ballot at the Bureau of CPMR - the policy-making body that comprises one representative per State - under the 42nd General Assembly of CPMR taking place in the Swedish city of Umea.

Among the 26 voters, representing as many States, Vasco Cordeiro received 16 votes in favour.
The mission of CPRM is to defend the interests of its members within national and European institutions, through the promotion of territorial cohesion and regional power in Europe as well as through the reinforcement of the peripheral and maritime dimension of the European Union.

In this context, the CPRM has developed an extensive effort in terms of the development of policies and influence with Community institutions, with special emphasis on the Cohesion Policy, the Integrated Maritime Policy, the Transport Policy and Macro-Regional Strategies.

The procedure that culminated with the election of Vasco Cordeiro as leader of this interregional cooperation body was formally launched on May 27, 2014 and also included the candidacy of Drew Hendry, leader of Highland Council, Scotland.

Due to the efforts undertaken by the Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Affairs during this time, it was possible to build a network of contacts and alliances with other regions and countries that have culminated with the victory of the President of the Government.

Vasco Cordeiro will be assisted by a First Vice-President and five Vice-Presidents. He will hold several powers: representation of the CPMR externally, especially with European institutions such as EU Commission and Parliament, convene and chair meetings of the General Assembly as well as of the Political Bureau of this organisation.

The President of the Regional Government replaces Annika Annerby Jansson, President of the Regional Council of Lund, Sweden.