The President of the Government presented to the Prime-Minister the Economic Revitalisation Plan for the island of Terceira. It was prepared by the Azorean Government over the last two years with the aim of minimising the effects of the reduction of U.S. military and civilian personnel at Lajes Air Base.

Composed of 34 axes and 170 measures, the document was delivered by Vasco Cordeiro to Pedro Passos Coelho at the audience held in Lisbon. This urgent meeting had been requested by the President of the Azorean Government on January 8, when the USA announced its decision to reduce its presence at Lajes Air Base.

At the end of the audience, the President of the Government added the he informed the Prime Minister about the impact caused by this reduction on Terceira Island. There will be an estimated loss of 1,900 direct and indirect jobs, a reduction of Terceira's GDP exceeding six percent and an increase of about 55 percent in the local unemployment rate.

"This meeting allowed us to remind that an agreement signed for the benefit of the whole country cannot fall under the responsibility of a single part of the country - the Azores - in terms of costs, said Vasco Cordeiro.

After pointing out the legitimacy of the U.S. decision to reorganise its military forces, the President of the Government stressed that when this is done outside U.S. territory, there is a need to take additional care, which has not happened so far.

This care firstly concerns the responsibility to help the Region copping with the economic and social impact of this decision, which falls under the USA, stressed Vasco Cordeiro. The President of the Government restated that this is a bad decision in its own right and a hostile decision in terms of the procedures followed, as it was taken without taking into account the efforts undertaken by the Portuguese State.

Speaking to journalists, Vasco Cordeiro mentioned his "high expectations" on the firm and determined position that Portugal will take when addressing this issue at the meeting of the Permanent Bilateral Commission, scheduled for February 11.

"I have hope because this is the first meeting of the Permanent Bilateral Commission, after the announcement of the decision. I have hope because this is the occasion when Portugal should express its thoughts about this issue, with resolution and determination," said the President of the Government of the Azores.