The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology, Gui Menezes, announced today the holding of a meeting in the Region on the creation of the AIR Center (Azores International Research Center), scheduled for April, with the participation of several countries.
 
Gui Menezes spoke at the end of a meeting with the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Manuel Heitor, to discuss the installation of the Centre.
 
According to the Regional Secretary for the Sea, "the memorandum of understanding on the creation of the AIR Center will be signed during the meeting to be held in April. It will be attended by several countries, including Brazil, Cape Verde, England and Spain."
 
This event will also feature the participation of several companies that "have shown interest in joining the AIR Center," says the government official.
 
Gui Menezes said the Azores International Research Center implemented "in the medium/long-term," defending that "the current National Government, in conjunction with the Regional Government, knows how to harness the potential of the Azores."
 
In addition to the importance of the geographical location of the Azores, the Secretary for Science and Technology highlighted the existing infrastructures and the knowledge in the archipelago as "capital gains for the projection of the Region and the country in various areas."
 
Gui Menezes also mentioned that "the Government of the Azores is monitoring the negotiations on the scientific agenda of AIR Center," adding that "it is intended to be consolidated and sustainable project for the Region from an economic and scientific perspective."
 
Following the workshops on the establishment of the Azores International Research Center that were attended by companies and researchers from several countries, the Regional Secretary for the Sea mentioned the "creation of themed working groups in the short-term in charge of preparing proposals for governance, operation and financing models of the AIR Center."