The Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations pointed out in Horta the importance that the Government of the Azores and Bermuda attach to the sea, stressing the existence of lines of action that are common to the governments of both Atlantic archipelagos.

"The sea is one of the areas included in the Memorandum of Understanding signed yesterday that was awarded priority status and in fact, there are common lines of action," said Rodrigo Oliveira. The government official pointed out "a very close relation with the scientific community," particularly with institutions such as the University of the Azores and its Department of Oceanography and Fisheries or with reference institutions in the field of maritime affairs and oceanography from Bermuda.

 Rodrigo Oliveira spoke on the sidelines of the visit of the Premier of Bermuda, Michael Dunkley, to the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, which he accompanied on behalf of the President of the Government under the official visit of the Leader of Bermuda Government to the Azores at the invitation of Vasco Cordeiro.

 The Regional Secretary also highlighted the mutual understanding of both governments that "it is through the knowledge of the sea, the importance of environmental care and the promotion of research that we can follow a sustainable development path."

 For Rodrigo Oliveira, the involvement with the scientific community and the identification of projects of common interest are, therefore, highlights in the visit of the Premier of Bermuda to the Azores, where he also visited Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre and exchanged compliments to the President of the Legislative Assembly, Ana Luísa Luís.

 "In the Azores, the activity of the University of the Azores and that of the Maritime School in the near future will have the potential to promote greater synergies and exchanges of research and students between the two territories and their institutions," stressed the government official.

 In this context, he considered that the visit to Faial "made the Premier of Bermuda better acquainted with the reality of the Azores in such important and relevant aspects as the case of economic activities, but also everything that is being done with regard to the sea and the environment."

 Rodrigo Oliveira reminded that the Azores and Bermuda are signatories to the Hamilton Declaration on the protection of the Sargasso Sea, "which demonstrates the concern that both governments have in their environmental sustainability policies and, in particular, the marine environment." In this regard, the government official highlighted the concern to "ensure the best use of marine resources."

The Regional Under Secretary pointed out "the interest in biotechnology as a way of ensuring new uses for these resources and the study of the possible impacts of the seabed exploration to ensure that these new economic prospects always safeguard the environment."