The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations stated in Horta that 2018 will be the "pivotal year for the projection of the Azores in the world and, especially, in Europe."
 
Rui Bettencourt spoke to journalists after being heard at the Commission on General Policy of the Legislative Assembly. According to him, "the negotiations of the financial framework from 2020 onwards will be under discussion in Europe next year." In this regard, he underlined the importance of the strategic relation of the Azores with the European Union, namely the fact that the Azores are an Outermost Region. Hence, "they still have a lot to receive from Europe, but also a lot to give to Europe."
 
"There are several actions scheduled for 2018 that will make this year a very important year in international relations, not only in Europe but also in the world in general," stressed the Assistant Secretary for External Relations.
 
As for European affairs, Rui Bettencourt defended "a very strong participation" in matters pertaining to the European Union through the Brussels Office. He revealed that the granting of scholarships will be one of the novelties for next year. They will provide "young Azoreans with the opportunity of undertaking traineeships in Brussels at the Azores Representation Office in Brussels and acquiring international practice in European affairs."
 
The Regional Secretary also highlighted the relation of the Azores with other parts of the world, namely with the United States of America, alluding to the holding of the Roosevelt Forum in the Region in 2018.
 
"The fact that 2018 will be the European Year of Cultural Heritage is very interesting news," said Rui Bettencourt. He considered that we intend to "project the Azores and their culture" as it would be interesting to know the Azores for their culture and not just for their lakes, green landscapes and nature tourism.
 
In this regard, he mentioned that we should seize this cultural wealth as well as UNESCO World Heritage distinctions to "assert and project the Azores in the world."
 
Moreover, the government official mentioned the organisation of the Macaronesia Summit next year, bringing together the Azores, cape Verde, the Canary Islands and Madeira. According to him, the event will "address the topic of cultural and political identity within this territorial Macaronesia." Nevertheless, there is also "a matter of economic strategy under discussion."
 
"Within Macaronesia, there are more than three million inhabitants that soon change our market size, namely in the flow of dairy products," added the government official.
 
Concerning the Diaspora communities, Rui Bettencourt highlighted the relation with the Houses of the Azores and the fact that 2018 was declared as the "Azorean Year" in Santa Catarina, Brazil. It will mark the 270th anniversary of the arrival of the Azoreans to this state. The event will be celebrated in the Azores and Brazil.