The Regional Government has approved the launch, by Atlanticoline, of a procedure for the design and construction of two single-hull vessels with a minimum capacity for 650 passengers and 150 vehicles for inter-island transport.

"The base price is set at 85 million Euros and the deadline for the delivery of the vessels should not exceed 580 days for the first vessel and 670 for the second vessel, from the date of the signing of the contract." The information was provided by the Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs during the presentation of the press release from the Council of the Government.

During the meeting, held in Angra do Heroísmo, the Government also approved the rules on the support to cultural activities, including the awarding of scholarships as well as of training and artistic creation grants.

"The support measures are addressed at cultural projects, the purchase, maintenance and repair of musical instruments and at the publication of cultural works," revealed Isabel Rodrigues. With regard to scholarships, the government official added that the Regional Government "will determine the areas of relevance, the number of scholarships and the deadline for submission of applications on January 31 of each year."

As for artistic creation grants, the government official underlined that "applications must be submitted during the month of August of each year."

Moreover, the Council of the Government approved the Rules on the Regional Programme to Support Azorean Recreational Societies and Philharmonic Bands. This measure aims to support the purchase, maintenance and repair of musical instruments and the acquisition of uniforms and repertoire sheet music.

The Government also approved the new rules on the support scheme for the recovery and conservation of whaling boasts, the acquisition of live saving equipment for these vessels as well as for the renewal of buildings and infrastructures associated with whaling activities and the whaling industry.

In addition, the Council of the Government decided to approve the amendment to the contract-programme that was signed between the Azores and the Society for the Promotion and Renewal of Housing and Infrastructures (SPRHI) on June 24, 2005. This decision will implement the agreement reached with the contractor consortium that was in charge of the renewal works of the Via Vitorino Nemésio on the island of Terceira.

Under this agreement, "the contractor is required to repair the defective road sections, which were the target of the complaints made by the Regional Government," thus solving all the issues between both parties.

Furthermore, the Government approved the Sectoral Land Management Plan for Extractive Activities in the Azores (PAE). It aims to ensure the proper planning and management of mineral resources, namely through spatial planning and the integrated management of the extraction of non-metallic mineral resources.

"The PAE develops a regional strategy for the extractive sector in order to optimise the use of non-metallic mineral resources that are found in the Region and the creation of mechanisms to foster the territorial integration and development of this economic activity. Its aim is to reconcile the activities of extractive sector with environmental and landscape values and with economic development," said Isabel Rodrigues.