The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated in Praia da Vitória that the scientific policies pursued in the Azores in recent years have contributed to the "growing internationalisation" of science in the Region, stressing that "this visibility will support the creation of the Atlantic International Research Centre (AIR Center)."
 
Speaking at the opening of the meeting "Atlantic Interactions: High Level Industry-Science-Government Dialogue," Gui Menezes noted that the Azores are "on the triple junction of the American, European and African plates," therefore the archipelago is "the right place" to discuss the creation of AIR Center.
 
The Minister of Science stated that the Azores have regional funds for scientific research that "complement the financing of research at national level." In this context, he highlighted the Region's commitment to "channeling European funds for science through international partnerships with other regions, research institutes and funding agencies."
 
In his speech, Gui Menezes mentioned the Strategy for Research and Innovation for the Smart Specialisation of the Region (RIS3) implemented by the Azorean Government, pointing out that "it comprises three priority axes that link science and economics," namely Agriculture, the Seam Fisheries and Tourism.
 
This Strategy, he added, also identified "the areas where the Azores have competitive advantages within the European Union as well as a high potential for research and innovation."
 
"Marine and earth sciences, namely volcanology and seismology, the development of aerospace technology infrastructures that benefit from our location, and the involvement in space-related programmes are also priorities for our Region," said the government official.
 
In this regard, Gui Menezes considered that the Azores have supported scientific projects in these areas that "will have relevance" to the AIR Center project.
 
The Regional Secretary also recalled that the Government of the Azores has implemented a "policy of investment in technological infrastructures, including Space, Earth and Climatology observation stations." Moreover, the Government has "encouraged" regional research centres to take "active part in international scientific networks."
 
Speaking to journalists, Gui Menezes expressed his expectation that the meeting that started today and runs until Friday will allow the establishment of "a deeper dialogue between the various countries that showed an interest in participating in this project as well as between companies and researchers."
 
"We hope there will be a multi-country commitment to this project," he said, noting that a working group will be created in June in order to "present a governance and funding proposal for this centre by the end of the year."
 
"For the interest shown at this meeting, which is being attended by 261 participants from 29 countries, the future of the AIR Center seems to be promising," said Gui Menezes.