The Under Secretary of the Presidency of the External Relations revealed that the Governments of the Azores and Bermuda have agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding that will embody, at the highest level, the friendship between the peoples of the two archipelagos of the Atlantic.

"This was a very important meeting. Indeed, it was a meeting with political significance that will be projected in the future in the context of the relations between the Azores and Bermuda," said Rodrigo Oliveira, who spoke Friday at the end of a meeting with the Premier of Bermuda, Michael Dunkley.

According to Rodrigo Oliveira, "both governments have agreed to sign soon a Memorandum of Understanding that embodies, at the highest level, the friendship and closeness between our peoples, but it will also establish the framework of this relation of proximity and cooperation between the two governments."

The Regional Secretary stressed that, in addition to this decision, both government officials "worked on the text of the memorandum of understanding, based on a proposal presented by the Azores. We could even reach an agreement on its terms and on its general principles."

In this regard, Rodrigo Oliveira revealed that "the areas encompasses in the document will be, firstly, culture, history and popular traditions." Nevertheless, the memorandum of understanding will also include "an area related to the maritime policies and marine conservation policies." The government official also recalled that the Azores and Bermuda have recently signed the Hamilton Declaration on the Sargasso Sea."

Furthermore, the document comprises an area concerning exchanges and institutional academic relations as well as other another regarding community associations, with "special emphasis on the projection and promotion of culture and social support."

During the meeting, Rodrigo Oliveira and Michael Dunkley also analysed issues regarding the Azorean community residing in Bermuda.

"I had the chance to see the appreciation and consideration of the Government of Bermuda for the contribution provided by the Azorean community in the development of this British overseas territory," the Regional Under Secretary said, adding that he sent to the Premier of Bermuda an invitation on behalf of President of the Government to visit the Azores.

For Rodrigo Oliveira, this "visit would have a relevant political significance not only in the context of the close institutional ties, but also in the emotional ties that unite our territories and our peoples."
 
The meeting with Michael Dunkley was also attended by Michael Fahy, Minister of Internal Affairs, Trevor Moniz, Minister of Legal Affairs, and Jeff Sousa, Member of the Parliament of Bermuda; the latter politicians are of Azorean descent. Rodrigo Oliveira was accompanied by the Regional Director for Communities, Paulo Teves, and the Honorary Consul of Portugal in Bermuda, Andrea Moniz de Sousa.

In the evening, Rodrigo Oliveira attended, at the invitation of Governor George Fergusson, a reception held at the official residence on the occasion of the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II. The event brought together the main political entities from Bermuda, both civilian and military. Following the reception, he government official met with the Azorean community in Bermuda at Vasco da Gama Club in Hamilton.

The official three-day visit to Bermuda aimed to mark the 165th anniversary of the Azorean emigration to this archipelago, where it is estimated that about 20-25% of the population is of Portuguese descent; 90% are of Azorean origin.