The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Environment stated in Horta that the Government of the Azores "defends the uncompromising protection of European wines and vineyards" and rejects "the attempt to liberalise planting rights."

"It also defends the uncompromising defence of European wines and vineyards, their 'terroirs' as well as the characteristic landscapes and jobs," said Luís Neto Viveiros at the opening session of the meeting held by the International Bureau of the Assembly of European Wine-producing Regions - AEWR.

The Regional Secretary conveyed his satisfaction for the meeting that is being held for the first time in the Azores "for the prestige of AEWR, its importance in the European wine sector and the opportunity it provides at a time when decisive dossiers for the future of European vineyards and wines are under negotiation."

"Being aware that the transfer of duties and powers in the areas of agriculture, environment, international trade and taxation to European decision-making bodies justifies the presence of Regions in the dialogue with European institutions, we consider that the active presence and participation of the Azores in organisations such as the AEWR are of utmost importance," said the government official.

According to Luís Neto Viveiros, the Azores identify themselves "with the defence position" taken by this association "regarding the Designation of Origin in order to protect the wines that symbolise the respective wine-growing regions as a factor of identity and recognition of products."

On the other hand, the Regional Secretary restated the defence of wine labelling; otherwise we will be selling faceless wines without identity, "as defended by some proposals."

"Regarding the negotiations for the EU-US free trade agreements, the European rules (those pertaining to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine) must be safeguarded in the negotiations for the wine sector," underlined the government official.

Luís Neto Viveiros emphasised that the production of wine in the Azores is "an act of dedication and will, being the exercise of an art inherited from our ancestors who were able turn the stones into their allies in growing vineyards by the sea. Embodying this spirit, the Government of the Azores will continue its investment in the promotion and dissemination of wines and their production."

For the Regional Secretary, promoting wine tourism is one of the goals set for the wine sector and, for that reason; the Region is following "with great interest" the conduction of a study "on the creation of a brand of excellence in wine tourism to be used by all member regions of AEWR, including the Azores."