The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs highlighted at the Legislative Assembly in Horta the "permanent non-conformism" of the Regional Government to "overcome the major challenges of the future."
 
Berto Messias spoke at the debate about a political declaration on the 2018 report issued by the Agency for Development and Cohesion. “Despite the bleak scenario outlined by some opposition parties that reinterpret a report from a reliable and independent agency for their political expediency, the report is very clear and unquestionable: the Azores are the only region of the country that has managed to grow above the European Union average between 2000 and 2016," stressed the government official.
 
"In spite of these results, we are never satisfied. These indicators are already past and now it is time to look to the future. “This is not a time for self-contemplation. There are always challenges to overcome. We are here, as always, to overcome them in partnership with the Azoreans and, for this, we count on everyone to contribute to our work based on dialogue and social agreement," said the Regional Secretary.
 
For Berto Messias, "there new battles to fight every day," such as the fight against poverty, youth unemployment, transport, education and health.
 
"We always have to improve, and we have to do more, which is what concerns us every day. We are always in line with the problems of people, searching for solutions to these problems; the rest matters nothing or truly little," said the government official.
 
According to the Regional Secretary, these indicators show that "the path we are following is the right path, but more than that, it has a positive impact on what really matters, that is, on people's lives."
 
Berto Messias also pointed out "several indicators evidencing that these results have practical application in raising the quality of life of the Azorean people." This is noticeable in "the growth of employment and the employed population, economic activity, education, the Regional Health Service and in the support to those who need it most."
 
"This is why we share these results and the merits of public policies in the Azores with the true winners: the Azoreans. The victories of the Regional Government are the victories of the Azoreans. These are the victories of families, companies and of the anonymous Azoreans who contribute to building a better and stronger Region on daily basis," noted Berto Messias.