The President of the Government of the Azores defended with the European Commissioner for Regional Policy the strengthening of the cohesion policy for the period after 2020, with the allocation of Structural Funds specifically directed to the islands so that they can meet the challenges they are currently facing.
 
"I conveyed to the Commissioner the importance of the Cohesion Policy, which should be maintained and strengthened" within the European Union, said Vasco Cordeiro. The President of the Government spoke to journalists after the working meeting with Corina Cretu.
 
With regard to the current EU framework, the President of the Government also stressed the need for special attention to the islands with regard to the application of funds, taking into account that these island territories face very particular challenges in terms of accessibility and infrastructures.
 
"As for our funds, we are already on cruise speed with regard to the implementation of the current framework and everything points out that this process will continue and strengthen with the full use of the funds available," said Vasco Cordeiro, who also chairs the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR).
 
The meeting with the European Commissioner for Regional Policy also addressed the eventual change in criteria for the allocation of funds after 2020, Vasco Cordeiro added, highlighting the need to shorten the transitional period between multiannual financial frameworks.
 
The President of the Government said the situation of agriculture will be specifically analysed in a meeting with Commissioner Phil Hogan in early June, where he will have the opportunity to convey the Government's position on the response of the European Union regarding the dairy sector.
 
"This response is misguided because it is directed to production when it should be directed to marketing and export, because that is where the problem lies," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
In regard to fisheries, the President of the Government stressed that the European Commission should take another look at this sector, through tools establishing the support to fishers, given the very high component of sustainability in the Azores. 
 
In September 2014, Vasco Cordeiro was elected President of CPMR, an interregional cooperation organisation that comprises 150 regions from 28 European states and congregates 200 million citizens.
 
The mission of CPRM is to defend the interests of its members within national and European institutions, through the promotion of territorial cohesion and regional power in Europe as well as through the reinforcement of the peripheral and maritime dimension of the European Union.
 
In this context, CPRM has carried out an extensive effort in terms of the development of policies and influence with Community institutions, particularly with regard to the Cohesion Policy, the Integrated Maritime Policy, the Transport Policy and Macro-regional Strategies.