The President of the Government urged the Azorean people for the need to defend the prerogatives of the Azores archipelago in the exploitation of sea resources in its maritime economic zone.

Reinforcing the idea that the Azores have a say about what goes on around the archipelago, the government official recalled that the sea has always been, and remains, an important factor in Azorean history as well as an asset for the Region.

"We were indispensable for maritime navigation in the Atlantic; we were also essential for air navigation and we still play an important role in the projection of military forces. In fact, we also play a relevant role in the field of space technologies and we are value in terms of the Portuguese territory size," stated the President of the Government.

Speaking in Westport during the closing dinner of the Holy Spirit Festivities of New England, Carlos César said that “we must seize the opportunities brought by the interest of many countries and companies in the future prospecting and exploitation of our deep-sea mineral, energy and biological resources."

For the President of the Government, it is equally important that the profits from this exploitation "are not swallowed or lost to a country abroad." The government official considered that this is a major challenge for the Azores, a challenge on which the progress of the Region depends as well as its sustainability.

"Our sea is worth all battles," Carlos César emphasised, adding that he expects that those who succeed him in office "fight for our sea because this fight is also a battle for asserting the value of the Azores and the quality of life of the Azorean people."

To the five hundred people attending the event, Carlos César reinforced the idea that we should invest in the younger generations so that they may lead the hopes in a better future. The government official also said that "youth must defend autonomy by taking a leading position in the areas of innovation, creation, management and culture."

Conveying the hope that the these aspirations become a reality not only in the Azores but also in the emigrant communities, the President of the Government urged youngsters to take up the leadership of institutions abroad that preserve the continuity of the Azores cultural heritage and identity, and simultaneously show an new image of the Azores.

"The Azores of the past stay in the past. They are a good memory and a source of pride for us, but we must focus our attention focus on the modern and progressive Azores we are building and consolidating to conquer the future," stressed the government official.

For Carlos César, these Azores must be shown to the countries that host emigrants from the archipelago.

 The President of the Government travelled to New England to participate in the Holy Spirit Festivities of New England as guest of honour. Sunday was the most important day of these festivities with the celebration of the solemn "coronation" mass and the organisation of the traditional procession; the latter attracted over three hundred thousand people from across the United States, Canada and the Azores.

Carlos César attended the solemn Mass, concelebrated by Jorge Ferreira da Costa Ortiga, Archbishop of Braga, and George Colleman, Bishop of Fall River. The President of the Government also participated in the procession that passed through the main streets of Fall River for over two hours.