Regional Government considers that the 2020 State Budget fulfils commitments made to the Region
The Vice-President of the Government stated that the 2020 State Budget proposal "fully confirms the National Government's compliance with the commitments made to the Autonomous Region of the Azores."
Sérgio Ávila stressed that the proposal "provides for an increase of 8.7 million Euros in transfers to the Azores" and "fully complies with the Finance Act of the Autonomous Regions, thereby ensuring full compliance with the stipulated rules."
"The State Budget also ensures, for the third consecutive year, the appropriation for the provision of inter-island public service obligations in air transport, which amounts to 10 million Euros," added the government official.
“One aspect that is particularly relevant for the Regional Government concerns the fact that the document offers the National Government's solidarity with the Autonomous Region of the Azores in supporting the damage caused by Hurricane Lorenzo,” said the Vice-President.
According to Sérgio Ávila, “once again, the Region's participation in the revenue from social games is safeguarded" under next year's budget, which is another relevant aspect.
"In this context, besides the budget allocations corresponding to what was planned and determined by the Council of Ministers, there is also an intention of streamlining procedures in order to speed up the beginning of works as well as of implementing other previously defined complementary support measures with which the Government fully complies," said the government official.
The Vice-President considered that the proposed State Budget ensures the fulfilment of the State's commitments for the Region in various areas, namely in the context of economic revitalisation and aid to Terceira Island, the Atlantic Observatory on Faial Island, the Prison Establishment on São Miguel Island, the network of weather radars, the submarine cable interconnection, the Horta airport and the regulation of transport services in the Autonomous Regions."
"Therefore, this is a State budget directed to territorial cohesion, which enhances the value of the Autonomous Region of the Azores and represents the National Government's solidarity with the Azores and the Azoreans," said the government official.
In this regard, Sérgio Ávila stated that, as an initial proposal, the document "must have the support of the Azoreans, because it effectively demonstrates the National Government's willingness to support the Region whenever necessary as well as to ensure national solidarity."