The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated in Horta that the Azores are a "region of reference" with regard to the raising of Community funds for research and innovation, noting that these funds "have been successfully implemented by some regional research centres."
 
Gui Menezes spoke at the end of a meeting with MEP Ricardo Serrão Santos. He recalled that the Regional Fund for Science and Technology, together with other partners, registered this year a "very interesting" rate regarding INTERREG projects. A total of six projects were approved this fund that "represent an investment in the Azores over 1.2 million Euros."
 
The Regional Secretary also expressed his satisfaction with the new European Parliament programme to fund research projects related to biodiversity in Outermost Regions. He stressed that this programme, which provides funding in the amount of one million Euros, may become "an asset for the Azores," encouraging institutions within the regional scientific system to apply for its support measures.
 
"The programme may contribute to sustainable development in our Region," the government official said, adding that Outermost Regions have "a great relevance in the Biodiversity European Strategy," given their high diversity rate of species in Europe.
 
The meeting with Ricardo Serrão Santos also discussed issues related to the fisheries sector, namely the maintenance of the red bream quota in the Azores for the next biennium. In this regard, Gui Menezes stressed "the importance of scientific knowledge to safeguard economic activities in the Region."