The Regional Secretary of the Presidency, André Bradford, considered today at the signing of the “Nomination Agreement of the Azores as European Region of the Year 2010” that this agreement represents an “important element of external recognition for the archipelago regarding the recognition of the Azores in Europe, their progress and development within a Community context and the success of their model of sustainable growth.”
In this context, the Regional Secretary stressed that the Azores as the European Region of the Year 2010 “will benefit from a very special attention concerning their promotion during a one-year period, through the celebration and enhancement of the Azorean history, culture, building, natural and human heritage, which will boost to our economy.”
André Bradford has defined the creation of “a culturally rich and diverse Programme to be presented to the Azoreans and to all those who visit us, highlighting the best of our natural beauties; our products and people; the innovation; the knowledge and science that are generated here; the unique nature of our traditions; the potential of the Azorean youth and of their associations, and the opportunities of our economy is the main for the Azores.
According to the Regional Secretary, the Programme “should also integrate an action plan to be developed at a Community level among political and institutional decision-makers as well as among potential visitors or investors.
André Bradford considered that this is an opportunity for “a moment which will simulate the capacities of the Azorean people, their institutions, companies and entities, demonstrating the Azorean pride and a truly regional assertion.”
The nomination of European Regions every year, which is subject to the scrutiny of an International Jury, intends to enhance the knowledge on the different regions of Europe and simultaneously promote the recognition of the work developed by them. In addition, it aims to promote new potentialities regarding the regional construction under the European integration context as well as to project, at an European and International context, all the aspects related to the chosen region at a social, cultural, and economic and tourism level.