The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations stated in Horta that "strategic vigilance, firmness and consensus," combined with a relation of proximity, will be the basis for the Regional Government's action in 2018 "to project the Azores and defend the interests of the Azorean people."
 
"We will use our action to direct all the external opportunities we will be able to seize to the Azorean project, to oppose all positions that are against ours and, above all, to follow new paths," said Rui Bettencourt. He spoke at the Legislative Assembly during the discussion of the Plan and Budget proposals for 2018.
 
As for the affirmation of the Azores in Europe, the government official highlighted the fact that 2018 is the year when "the European Cohesion policy will be clarified," ensuring "increased firmness of the Azores" in defining priorities for the post-2020 period.
 
The Regional Secretary for External Relations stated that the Region' affirmation in Europe is also requires "a more intensive use" of the Azores Representation Office in Brussels, which is fulfilling a threefold objective: ensuring strategic surveillance, representing the Azores at meetings and events, and providing logistical support to the Region in the centre of Europe.
 
In his speech, the government official announced that, in coming days, the Government will open the application period for a traineeship that will provide two young graduates or Masters with the opportunity "to learn about European matters" at the Azores representation Office located in the Belgian capital.
 
With regard to European issues, Rui Bettencourt added that, in addition to maintaining European solidarity, the Azores also want to be regarded as a "partner region" and a "strong and central region," not just as an "outermost and fragile region."
 
"We want, and we are succeeding, to be seen as co-authors of the construction of a cohesive, strengthened, humanist, supportive and efficient Europe of the future," stressed the Secretary for External Relations.
 
Rui Bettencourt also highlighted the participation of the Region in the celebrations of the European Year of Cultural Heritage, the extension of the European Citizenship programme to schools and the Azorean population, and an "effective rapprochement" of Macaronesian territories.