The President of the Government received today the Minister of Internal Administration in Ponta Delgada. They held a meeting to analyse the situation of security forces in the Azores and discuss the nationwide process towards the decentralisation of powers for local authorities.
 
"I consider this visit of the Minister important because it allows a direct knowledge about the reality of one of the State's services in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Accordingly, this means the reinforcement of the conditions in terms of decisions towards the improvement of these services," said Vasco Cordeiro. The President of the Government spoke to journalists after the meeting with Eduardo Cabrita.
 
With regard to security forces, Vasco Cordeiro added the idea that came out from this meeting is to reinforce what has been done in the improvement of facilities in the Azores, namely the PSP (Public Security Police) stations and the continuous effort to reinforce their personnel.
 
As for investments in infrastructures throughout the Region, Vasco Cordeiro noted the progress of these processes. In this context, he pointed out the example of PSP facilities in Ribeira Grande, a process that is underway with the involvement of municipal authorities under the terms of a protocol signed with the previous National Government.
 
"In regard to other interventions in the Region, I also note the attention and care demonstrated by the Ministry of Internal Administration in a series of works intended to improve police stations," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
Recognising that personnel needs for security forces in the Azores are still high, Vasco Cordeiro highlighted that the figures now announced for the reinforcement of personnel are greater than those estimated previously.
 
"On this matter, we must continue undertaking efforts and we cannot consider that everything is solved. There is, above all, an effort that must be undertaken more effectively as it has stemmed from the Prime Minister's visit to the Azores. It is up to the National Government to reinforce the means by which more Azorean citizens may join security forces," added the President of the Government.
 
Vasco Cordeiro also recalled that during António Costa's visit to the Azores in early 2016, it was decided that the Regional Government would support investment in infrastructures. The decision was taken under the process in which the Government, through the Regional Transport Fund, supported the acquisition of equipment for security forces in the Region.
 
"This is what has been done and that is what will continue to be done, through the procedures defined, as is the case of applications submitted for these funds," said the President of the Government.
 
As for the national decentralisation of powers for municipalities, Vasco Cordeiro reiterated that the Government of the Azores welcomes this process given its relevance to the country. In this context, it was decided today's meeting with the Minister of Internal Administration to further develop this process.
 
"We must respect the existence of Regional Autonomy in this process. Hence, we will analyse the best way possible to coordinate this process, while complying with the powers and goals that the State has defined for it and, also, respecting the powers of Autonomous Regions," said Vasco Cordeiro.