The Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations reiterated in Brazil "the great importance of institutional rapprochement between the Azores and São Paulo," expressing his satisfaction with the meetings held with the State Government and the decision to "start a working together in order to identify areas of cooperation."

Rodrigo Oliveira spoke Thursday at the end of meetings he held at the Bandeirantes Palace, the seat of Government of the State of São Paulo. The government official noted that these meetings "addressed matters of mutual interest, starting with the active participation of international organisations in the Azores and São Paulo, such as R20-Regions of Climate Action and United Regions Organisation - ORU/FOGAR. They also focused on other themes whose potentialities will be enhanced in the context of economic promotion, tourism and culture."

The Regional Under Secretary met with the Head of the Special Advisor for International Relations, Ana Carolina Conde, highlighting "a clear harmony between both governments on the importance of external relations, inter-regional cooperation and bilateral diplomatic relations for the assertion and development, of São Paulo and the Azores."

Rodrigo Oliveira also met the Secretary of Energy of the State of São Paulo, João de Souza Meirelles. The Regional Under Secretary was accompanied by the Regional Director for Communities, Paulo Teves, the President of the House of the Azores of São Paulo, Marcelo Guerra, the Vice-President, António Arruda, and the Director of Institutional Relations, Henrique Arruda.

"It is a great satisfaction to see a descendant of Azoreans in a position of prime importance in the area of energy in the Government of a Brazilian state with the importance of São Paulo. Both authorities have invested in this sector and the results, particularly with regard to renewable energy, are clearly a reference at an international level, thus being a matter for the development of cooperation," said the government official.

The Regional Under Secretary also met with the President of the City Council of São Paulo, where he stressed "the partnership and support that the city of São Paulo has provided to the activities organised by the local House of the Azores, especially in the celebrations of the Holy Spirit Festivities that annually bring together about 20 thousand people.

"These institutional meetings in São Paulo are also a means for the Regional Government to contribute to the assertion of our communities and institutions among its political representatives, at a state and local level. Moreover, it also encourages the opening of new channels and strengthens the institutional communication between the Azorean community and the State and Municipal authorities of São Paulo," said Rodrigo Oliveira.