The President of the Government was elected today First Vice-President of the Committee of the Regions by acclamation under an agreement between all political groups stipulating that Vasco Cordeiro will assume the presidency of this European body within two and a half years.

“I come from a Region with nine islands and with about 245 thousand inhabitants. 
That is why, today, this vote by acclamation says much more about this Committee and the way the members of this Committee regard a Europe for all, than my merits and what I bring here can say,” stressed Vasco Cordeiro after his election, which took place at the European Parliament Hemicycle in Brussels. 

On the second day of this plenary session, which was marked by the inauguration of the new mandate of the Committee of the Regions, the President of the Government was elected by the representatives of 350 regions and cities from all Member States of the European Union.

Speaking to journalists, the President of the Government stressed that his election also represents recognition of the Azores' efforts in the Committee of the Regions that have been undertaken over several years as well as the understanding of this body regarding the participation of regions in the European project. 

According to Vasco Cordeiro, the European Union is facing major challenges that are also relevant for the regions, pointing out, as example, the ongoing negotiations on the next Community budget for the 2021-2027 period and the role that the Cohesion Policy will play in the next multiannual financial framework. 

"These are challenges in which regional and local authorities play a fundamental role, not only in shaping and defining these measures but also in implementing what emerges from them," stressed the President of the Government, who looks forward to the steps that the President of the European Council will take throughout the budget process.

The President of the Government also highlighted the work carried out by the Portuguese Government and, in particular, Prime Minister António Costa towards the defence of the Cohesion Policy, which is of utmost importance for Portugal and the Azores,” building alliances with other countries, such as the one formed at the Friends of Cohesion Summit in Beja.

"This the time to fight and to make it clear that a budget proposal that calls into question the Cohesion Policy is not acceptable," stressed Vasco Cordeiro. In this regard, he restated that this policy is the mechanism that has a direct presence in the everyday life of European citizens, supporting, for example, the construction of schools, hospitals and professional qualification in the regions. 

It should be recalled that the European Commission, the Council and the Parliament have to consult the Committee of the Regions when drafting legislation on matters in which regional and local authorities have a say, such as employment, social policy, economic and social cohesion, transport, energy and climate change.