The President of the Government stressed today that the opportunity brought by the visit of a delegation of U.S. Congress members as it demonstrates the concern of the Congress regarding the announced intention to reduce U.S. military forces on Terceira Island.

"I would like to point out the opportunity brought by this visit and the fact that it represents another demonstration of interest. This issue has been followed, from the very beginning, by this coalition of friends of the Azores" that took shape in the U.S. Congress, said Vasco Cordeiro.

The President of the Government spoke on Terceira Island in the context of visit made by a delegation of U.S. Congress members, led by Devin Nunes, which includes other Congress members with ties to the Azores, such as David Valadão and Jim Costa, among others.

"This visit confirms the interest and the very special attention that has been given to this matter. On the part of the Government, what we do, as we have always done, is to express our concerns regarding the aspects that should be safeguarded in a historical and diplomatic relation as that between Portugal and the USA," said Vasco Cordeiro.

Speaking to journalists on Terceira Island, where he welcomed the delegation of the U.S. Congress, the President of the Government also highlighted "the coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this issue, an effort that allows Portugal to  defend its position with one voice.

This coordination effort has managed to call the attention to the subject of Lajes Air Base and the bilateral relations between Portugal and the USA. Moreover, it has allowed the Regional Government to express its concerns about the aspects to be safeguarded under the announced U.S. intention to reduce its presence at Lajes Air Base.

Vasco Cordeiro also added that this visit was an opportunity to make these U.S. Congress members acquainted with the reasons on the ground that support the Government of the Azores in this process.