The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations defended in São Roque do Pico the safeguarding of the principles underpinning the European project, namely humanism and cohesion among the peoples of Europe.
 
"Do not give up on fighting, demanding the humanism of the European project and having this desire for happiness," said Rui Bettencourt. In this context, he stressed "the progress and development" of the European project as well as "the cohesion that should exist among Azoreans and among Europeans."
 
The government official spoke Wednesday at São Roque do Pico Basic Education and Secondary School in the context of the celebrations of Europe Day. On the occasion, he left this message to young people and the Azoreans in general, through Pico Youth and the local community, noting the fact that the Azores are a "very particular" European region as it is an "outermost region scattered through several islands."
 
"You can be sure that, seeing what you see here today on Pico, seeing how this day was prepared and seeing how pro-European Azorean are here on Pico and in the Azores, we are legitimately in Europe," Rui Bettencourt said, considering that it is a matter of "placing Europe at the centre" of this project.
 
For the Regional Secretary, this is a "joint development" of all parties involved, especially at a time when some call into question the European Union and the future of this project, "which is taking place and is still under construction."
 
In his speech, Rui Bettencourt alluded to the words of young Pico-born pianist Carlota Ávila who, together with Inês Ponte, will represent the Region in the national session of the "Euroschool" competition after winning the regional session. The government official mentioned the importance of the soul, identity and culture that is "fully alive" in the Azores and on Pico, in particular.
 
The celebration programme of the Europe Day in São Roque also included the opening of a mural work of art by plastic artist João Ramos, dedicated to the European Year of Heritage, which counted on the collaboration of students with special education needs.
 
The initiatives to mark this day also included a European Union parade and the construction of a cultural mosaic, musical performances and an exhibition on the diversity of European costumes; the latter was organised by the Social Centres. 
 
On Wednesday, the winners of the multimedia work contest designated as "Cultural and Natural Heritage" were announced and the winning video was broadcast on RTP/Açores during prime time.
 
The team from "Santa Casa da Misericórdia" of Angra do Heroísmo Vocational Training School was the contest's winner. In turn, Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade Secondary School, also from Terceira, came in 2nd place and Santa Maria Basic Education and Secondary School came in 3rd place.