The President of the Government announced today the presentation of a proposal amending the Basic Law on Marine Spatial Planning and Management to the Legislative Assembly in order to safeguard and guarantee the interests of the Azores in this area.
 
"By the end of July, the Azorean Government will submit to the Azorean Parliament a draft proposal amending the Basic Law on Maritime Planning and Management. Once approved, it will be submitted to the National Assembly to amend what is necessary in order to safeguard the interests of the Azores and the Azoreans," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
The President of the Government spoke at the solemn session of the Region's Day in Madalena, Pico. On the occasion, he considered that the goal of this proposal is to allow the Azores to fully exercise their powers over the sea in favour of the Azorean citizens under the next European financing framework, that is, in favour of their qualification, employability and entrepreneurship."
 
According to him, the amendment to the current Basic Law on Marine Spatial Planning and Management is of decisive importance to endow the Region with the capacity to decide on an "Azorean resource that must be used for the benefit of the development of the Azores and the progress and well-being of the Azorean population."
 
"The solution for the assignment of powers between the State and the Region that was approved in 2014 does not meet our goal. Therefore, we consider, bearing in mind the opinion issued by the previous Ombudsman, that the "interests of Autonomous Regions will be defended if the National Assembly reconsiders the solution provided for" in the aforementioned Basic Law," stressed the President of the Government.
 
Vasco Cordeiro recalled that the Regional Government has undertaken "attentive, diligent and well-founded efforts dialogue and consultation on this matter" since the inauguration of the current National Government. In this context, the President of the Government stressed that, while maintaining full openness and willingness to reach a concerted solution under this dialogue, it is time to open new routes to solve this issue.
 
"The time has now come for us to make progress in securing a solution deemed appropriate to the interests of the Azores and the Azoreans We believe it should not wait nor should it be dependent on any revision of the Constitution or the Political-Administrative Statute of Region," stressed Vasco Cordeiro.
 
Whether in the context of improving how maritime transport can leverage economic growth or the competitiveness of fisheries and the exploitation of marine resources, this is an "area where the potential for progression and contribution to our development is enormous."
 
In his speech delivered at the solemn session, Vasco Cordeiro also pointed out that the negotiation of the next Multiannual Financial Framework of the European Union for the period 2021-2017 is a challenge of decisive importance for the collective future of the Region.
 
"With regard to the Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy, we clearly state that the Commission's proposal is not a satisfactory starting point, taking into account the demands of the current European context," restated the President of the Government.
 
According to Vasco Cordeiro, even in a regional context, namely in the so-called POSEI, there are serious doubts and reservations about what the Commission intends for POSEI Agriculture and POSEI Fisheries.
 
"This is a programme of vital importance for agriculture and fisheries in Outermost regions, in general, and for the Azores in particular," warned Vasco Cordeiro. Hence, he defended that we must make clear in the Azores, Lisbon and Brussels that "it is unthinkable to reduce the funds allocated to POSEI Agriculture in order to cover the cuts proposed by the Commission on the CAP appropriations for each country."
 
"We consider this matter in such an important and decisive way for the Azores that it requires the adoption of a clear, unequivocal and, above all, enlightening public position in our country," stated the government official.
 
The Solemn Session of the Day of the Autonomous Region of the Azores was also marked by the bestowal of 38 Honorary Commendations upon personalities and institutions.
 
In a joint organisation of the Legislative Assembly and the Government of the Azores, this ceremony distinguished 23 personalities, five of them posthumously, and 15 regional institutions.