The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations pointed out the "great spirit of cooperation" between the Azorean and National Governments in joint European policies.
 
Rui Bettencourt spoke at the end of a meeting with Secretary of State for European Affairs, Margarida Marques, also attended by the Regional Director for European Affairs, Célia Azevedo. He stressed that the actions of the Regional Government in this area "are strongly supported by the Regional Government."
 
In this context, he pointed out the decision to organise the meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for External Affairs in the Azores. It will be attended by several Secretary of State and members of the Regional Government who will discuss the role of regions in further detail and define the positions to be adopted on European issues and the financial framework post 2020.
 
During the meeting held today in Ponta Delgada, there were several matters of interest to the Region under analysis at a time when, according to Rui Bettencourt, it is important to define common strategies and enhance cooperation "in defence of Outermost Regions."
 
For the Regional Secretary, 2017 is "a very important moment, because we are starting to thinking about the post 2020 and the redevelopment of some European policies," which "should comprise what the issue of remoteness brings, how EU policies can be adapted to these regions and how it may streamline new policies."
 
Moreover, the government official stressed the need to "imagine" which financial tools we will be involved and their possible importance to the Azores. According to him, "there is a whole range of measures, reflections and proposals to be developed."
 
Rui Bettencourt also stressed the importance of the Forum of Outermost Regions to take place in Brussels on March 30 and 31 as the Azores and other outermost regions will present the Memorandum they drafted together. In this context, he considered that "this moment is a very important time, not only in the present but also in the preparation of the future."
 
"The future requires a clarification of our strategy addressing the challenges that we are now facing and after 2020." the government official said, stressing that "we are defining strategies in different sectors of activity as well as in different policies with different tools."
 
"The financial issue is a consequence of a strategy that has to be drawn between us. It has to be demonstrated to the Commission with a great coherence, also boldly and with relevance to the challenges that we have in our development," he added.
 
For the government official, "the strategic issue is fundamental and, then, the financial issue will come next."
 
Rui Bettencourt also noted the work of the Regional Directorate for European Affairs in the preparation of the Memorandum, being "a key document for us," and the importance of opening the Azores Representation Office in conjunction with Madeira in Brussels.
 
"All this makes us closer and closer to Europe and Europe will also notice us," said the Regional Secretary.