The President of the Government said in Boston on Tuesday that the cooperation between the USA and Portugal faces immediate challenges as a result of the announced reduction of military forces at Lajes Air Base. Vasco Cordeiro urged the emigrant community to convey to their political representatives in the USA the importance of this relation.

"Nowadays, the relations of friendship and cooperation between the Portuguese State and the USA face immediate challenges that, if not addressed with commitment and respect for the historical legacy, can compromise stability and undermine this relation in the future," stated Vasco Cordeiro in his speech delivered at Massachusetts State House.

The President of the Government participated in the ceremonies that celebrated Portugal Heritage Day, an event organised by the Portuguese-American Legislative Caucus, which included the bestowal of honorary commendations to several Luso-American personalities who have excelled in their communities in various fields.

In his speech, Vasco Cordeiro acknowledged that the U.S. decision to reduce its presence at Lajes Air Base was not taken with the aim of striking at the heart of the relation between both countries as it was not specifically directed to Portugal and the Azores.

"Nevertheless, our American friends and allies, whether those who are here, in Washington, in California or in Hawaii, should be aware that there is no worse form of attention than the lack of attention; there is no worse way of treating a friend and ally than by neglecting this relation; and there is no other way of losing a stable and consistent relation, which has provided an ongoing contribution to the achievement of common goals, - even in distant parts of the world - than to stop valuing it by comparing it to others," stated the President of the Government.

According to him, all these aspects should be taken into careful consideration regarding the decisions the USA might take on the significant reduction of the U.S. military and civil presence in the archipelago of the Azores, with the reductions announced for Lajes Air Base, as well as with the reduction of the presence and powers of the U.S. Consulate in Ponta Delgada.

"In these two specific cases, the Portuguese community in the USA - whether Azorean or not - must convey to their political representatives at a State and Federal level the added value brought by a stable and long-lasting relation with Portugal, based on an Atlantic pillar with unique features, such as the Azores, which intends to contribute to the enhancement of bilateral relations as well as to the establishment of new areas in order to embrace the future without risks."