The Secretary of the Presidency urged on Friday for the need of achieving a "political consensus" that allows the Region to speak in “one voice" in the defence of regional interests regarding the U.S. military presence at Lajes Air Base, Terceira island.

The challenge was launched by André Bradford at the Legislative Assembly on Friday during the discussion of four draft Resolutions proposed by PCP, PSD, PPM and PS concerning the Cooperation and Defence Agreement between Portugal and the USA for the use of Lajes Air Base and its possible renegotiation.

According to the Regional Secretary of the Presidency, the USA has officially informed the Portuguese Government their intention to reduce its military presence on the island of Terceira and change the current use of Lajes Air Base.

While arguing that the Azorean base now has a reduced importance in strategic terms, it is also true that the first thing the Americans said was that "they did not want to leave the Azores," added the Secretary of the Presidency.

At this moment, André Bradford further explained that "we are not in negotiations, but only in talks." However the intention announced by the United States "might trigger a complex and difficult negotiating process."

In the Government's view "it is essential to achieve a consensus in the Region to value what unit us instead of each party falling into temptation, once again, of defending minor political matters," stated the government official.

As soon as the U.S. authorities officially informed about their intentions, the Government decided a hold a round of hearings and meeting all political parties in Parliament.

André Bradford also informed that during this round of hearings, the different political parties mentioned as main priorities the defence of direct and indirect jobs as well as the impact of the investment in the acquisition of goods on Terceira's economy.
 
In fact, "it is possible to reach an agreement on these principles. But the way how to accomplish this goal - regardless of the minimum contingent, more labour claims or historical justification - is not relevant for the Regional Government at this time," stressed the government official.

For the Secretary of the Presidency, "what is important is to find a common position that allows us to speak with one voice on what is essential, regardless of our different views on what is secondary.
 
"This is what we have tried to do since the beginning of the process and this is what we will continue to do throughout the process which is now at a phase of talks; it is neither a formal nor an institutional negotiation process," concluded André Bradford.