The Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations highlighted at the Legislative Assembly in Horta the importance the Regional Government attaches to the Houses of the Azores as a privileged means to establish ties to the Azorean emigrated communities around the world.

In this regard, Rodrigo Oliveira announced the presentation, next year, of the Internet Portal of the World Council of the Houses of the Azores, an initiative that aims to "facilitate the communication" between these institutions and the Region.

Speaking at the debate on the proposed Plan and Regional Budget for 2015, the Regional Under Secretary underlined the Government's intention to carry on "the work towards the promotion of the Houses of the Azores and our Communities, with special emphasis on their role in the dissemination of regional culture. They also contribute to the promotion of various aspects of our archipelago, namely the opportunities that can be found in the Region, as well as its economy, its people, its institutions and its land and maritime territory."

According to Rodrigo Oliveira, the dissemination of "Azoreanity," the defence and preservation of Azorean culture, traditions and most significant festivities "are the fundamental goals that underpin the activities organised by the Houses of the Azores and other organisations in the Diaspora as well as those organised by the Regional Government in the area of communities."

Rodrigo Oliveira also stressed that the Government will present the Holy Spirit Festivities Itinerary - Azores/Communities in 2015. This project brings together "in a virtual space numerous manifestations of a centuries-old tradition that continues to be celebrated not only in the Azores, but also in almost territories where Azorean communities live."

In order to "promotion the Azorean cultural legacy," the Regional Under Secretary revealed that the Government will continue to support "the teaching of Portuguese" within our communities by providing teaching materials to children learning Portuguese at various schools working in partnership with Azorean institutions."

As Rodrigo Oliveira revealed, the Government will implement, next year, the first edition of the Emanuel Félix Programme, an "initiative intended to support the translation of Azorean authors into English for subsequent publication in those countries."

The programme is primarily intended at "youngsters of Azorean descent residing in Canada, United States and Bermuda, whose detachment from the Portuguese language may distance them from the rich cultural heritage of the Azores. With this initiative, they will have the opportunity to become acquainted with our identity values through translated literature," said the government official.

Furthermore, Rodrigo Oliveira mentioned other important initiatives, such as the organisation of a meeting held by the International Social Support Network of Communities, which comprises 22 institutions in the Diaspora and seven in the Azores, and the promotion of the "Missing the Azores" programme; the latter is an initiative that brings to Region Azorean emigrants over 60 years, who have not visited the archipelago for over 20 years due to economic reasons.

In the area of immigration, the Regional Under Secretary stressed the third edition of the Portuguese language courses for foreign citizens residing in the Azores, which he considered to be "a tool that promotes the integration of immigrants and interculturalism as well as the acquisition of professional and personal skills. Moreover, the government official pointed out "numerous initiatives in the areas of intercultural education and sport that privilege the recognition of diversity and inclusion and the implementation of good practices."

With regard to External Cooperation, Rodrigo Oliveira considered that 2014 "represented an important step in the reinforcement of external cooperation, especially in the relations with European regions and their strategic themes." In this context, he stressed the election of Vasco Cordeiro as President of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions.

"The duties assumed by the President of the Government correspond to a process that is carefully based on a strategic vision of cooperation and European affairs that takes into consideration the institutional renovation of the Parliament and the European Commission, in particular, but also the entry into force of the renewed EU territorial cooperation programmes," said Rodrigo Oliveira.

In respect to Lajes Air Base, the Regional Under Secretary restated that the Government of the Azores will continue working "to defend the best interests of Portuguese workers and their families, and the economy of Terceira Island." Rodrigo Oliveira underlined that the latest developments in this matter "should motivate and reinforce the National Government's intervention with the new leaders," following the recent mid-term elections in the USA.