The President of the Government participates in the 4th Forum of the Outermost Regions next Thursday and Friday. The meeting will gather in Brussels hundred of representatives and experts from nine Outermost Regions of Europe, the respective Member States, European institutions and the civil society.
 
At the invitation of the Government, the Azorean delegation that takes part in this Forum of the Outermost Regions, promoted by the European Commission, is composed of members representing the following entities: three Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Azores, Association of Municipalities, Agricultural Federation, Fisheries Federation, University of the Azores, Azores Building Industry and Public Works Association, UGT (General Union of Workers), CGTP (General Confederation of Portuguese Workers) INOVA (General Confederation of the Portuguese Workers), regional vocational training schools and several companies.
 
Under this initiative, designated "Outermost Regions, European Land in the World: Towards a Renewed Strategy," Vasco Cordeiro will speak at the partnership session with the European Commission, which will also join the Presidents of the Governments of Madeira, Guiana, Guadeloupe, Canary Islands, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion and Saint-Martin.
 
Over the two-day meeting, there will be four major themes under debate: reinforcement of competitiveness and employment in Outermost Regions under the circular, green and blue economy and energy; prospects for a better integration of ORs in regional and international markets; improvement of digital and physical accessibility; support of European programmes and funds to these regions.
 
In addition to these sessions, the fourth edition of the Forum of the Outermost Regions will feature, among other political leaders and representatives of EU institutions, the participation of the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Cretu, the European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, and the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani.
 
The Forum of the Outermost Regions is held every two years in Brussels and follows a proposal of the Regional Government submitted in 2008 at the Conference "Future of the European Strategy for Outermost Regions." It was welcomed by the EU Commission in its communication "Outermost Regions: an asset for Europe" and reinforced in the conclusions of the European Council held in December 2009.
 
This Forum aims to enhance the visibility of ORs with various European leaders and officials as well as to allow participants and representatives of the Regions to inform European officials about their situation and specific challenges with the main European decision-makers.