The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations reiterated in Brussels the Azores' position, together with other outermost regions (ORs), on the next Multiannual Financial Framework and the important role of these regions in the European Union.
 
Rui Bettencourt spoke to journalists at the end of a meeting of the Presidents of the Outermost Regions with the Governments of Portugal, Spain and France, in which he participated on behalf of the President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro. On the occasion, he expressed his optimism, considering that these contacts will certainly lead to good prospects.
 
"We note a broad understanding of what the Outermost Regions are. This understanding, which translates into a very specific action to defend these regions, gives us great hope," the Secretary for External Relations said, referring to the European Commission, the European Parliament and a numerous Member States of the European Council. In this regard, he expressed his hope that it will remain the same in coming months.
 
"We have great hope, especially as we have seen a great deal of support, naturally and very spontaneously, from Member States and MEPs at these meetings, and it has been extremely positive," said the government official.
 
Rui Bettencourt also stressed that this stance of several important European decision-makers does not happen by chance, but it rather stems from the efforts to explain the Azorean position and alliances that is now beginning to bear fruit.
 
According to the Regional Secretary, these meetings held in Brussels for two days had as their “primary goal” the coordination between the Presidents of the Outermost Regions for “a joint position regarding the European Union's recognition of these regions and, in a very particular manner, the position on the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021/2027."
 
“We have taken a very firm position on refusing cuts and the proposed changes to the co-financing rate.  On the basis of this joint position, which was agreed on, we met with the Finnish Presidency, we met the Parliamentary Committee on Regional Development - REGI Committee and with its President, Younous Omarjee," said Rui Bettencourt. According to him, this was "a very useful meeting" in which everyone realised that the European Parliament understands the outermost regions, is on their side and defends their position.
 
The Regional Secretary also highlighted the fact that these meetings addressed the weaknesses of the Outermost Regions, recognised in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, but also their added value to the European Union, an approach that has been strongly advocated by the Azores.
 
“The Outermost Regions encompass 40% of the European Union's sea, which confers upon the EU a worldwide projection and a geostrategic position. Therefore, all this has to be acknowledged and carefully considered when to addressing our weaknesses and our potentialities," said Rui Bettencourt.