Congressman Devin Nunes makes the Azores proud of his journey, says Sérgio Ávila
The Vice-President of the Government stressed in Velas, São Jorge, the pride that the Regional Government has in the Azorean communities spread around the world.
Sérgio Ávila stressed that this pride "is greater the farther the ties of our 2nd and 3rd generation emigrants to the land of their parents and grandparents seem to be in the eyes of those who do not understand what it is to be and feel Azorean.”
The government official spoke Thursday at a tribute session to Devin Nunes promoted by Velas Town Hall. He stressed that this U.S. Congressman, who descends from S. Jorge natives, is a "son of the Azores that has made us proud of his journey and has touched us with his love for this land."
In his speech, Sérgio Ávila stressed the "importance to note" that the action taken by Devin Nunes in case of Lajes Air Base "is perfectly in line" with what the Government has defended with regard to more than one million Azoreans and their descendants, who make up the Azorean communities in the Diaspora.
"What we stand for - what we want - is that each of one of them may be the best citizen in the country where they live, because if they are a good American in the USA, a good Canadian in Canada or a good Brazilian in Brazil, they will be honouring our land," said the government official.
For the Vice-President of the Government, "when Devin Nunes, as a good American citizen who has always remained true to his political duties, strives for the interests of the USA in the geostrategic context of the Atlantic - towards the maintenance of the purpose of that military infrastructure - he is defending the interests of the Azores."
For Sérgio Ávila, the tribute paid to Devin Nunes by Velas Town Hall is an event "to which the Regional Government is proud and honoured to be part of it."
The government official also congratulated the Velas Town Hall for the start of the 28th Velas Cultural Week, stressing its growing relevance in the regional context, which is worthy of the "Government's appraisal."
"The success of any initiative, regardless of the sector of activity or the place where it is implemented, is the success of the Azores," said the government official.
Sérgio Ávila recalled that the Regional Government is preparing the application of "Fajãs" of São Jorge to UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, conveying his belief that this distinction will become "an important international recognition of the island's natural and cultural heritage."
According to the Government's expectations, the World Biosphere Reserve status will provide "a contribution to the sustainable economic exploitation of "fajãs" by including them in the development and territorial cohesion strategy the Government has been implementing. Its success will only be achieved with the cooperation of all those who wish take part in this process."
In this regard, Sérgio Ávila pointed out the good understanding and the spirit of cooperation in the institutional relations between the Regional Government and the Municipality of Velas, especially in the person of its President, Luís Silveira, "with efficiency gains that have greatly contributed to the success of joint measures, benefiting this municipality and its people."
The session took place at the Main Hall of Velas Town Hall and was also attended by the Deputy Prime Minister, Paulo Portas.