The Regional Secretary of the Presidency reiterated today at the Legislative Assembly that the Azores cannot ignore the various "stages" that are vital for projecting the Region at a European context.

With regard to European affairs, we have conducted our political action in accordance with the Statute of Outermost Regions, but the "remaining" is not "wrapping paper" or "scenic areas" to show up as MP Duarte Freitas said, defended André Bradford.

For the government official, the Azores cannot ignore "a series of tools that provide an important contribution in raising awareness for the Azorean reality at a European level as well as for our features and expectations."

"Indeed, we are a region among many European regions, but we are also a region which has access to many European "stages" due to our Autonomic Statue and legislative powers, said André Bradford.

The Secretary of the Presidency also added that the Azores conduct their European affairs "with responsibility and in the full exercise of their powers."

This means that, on the one hand, we are entitled to claim a "different and specific treatment" under the Statute of Outermost Regions, but, on the other hand, "we are capable of contributing and we have placed our assets at the service of the European project," explained the government official.

With regard to Europe Day, which is celebrated today, André Bradford stressed the "potentialities" and "constant value" of the European project, rebuking "a certain ideology prevailing in Europe that takes advantage of the current situation to implement this ideology."

"Fortunately, the results of the French elections last weekend have demonstrated that this ideology will no longer endure in European governance," said André Bradford.

Some would have us to believe that the current situation is the result of Europe's behaviour in recent years. Given the situation, it is of utmost importance "to restructure and introduce major changes to the European project as well as to break up with the European social model and find a new solution for the organisation of European Union and its political action," stated the government official.

Nevertheless, the Regional Secretary of the Presidency recalled that "one has seen the results of this constant intention of trying to solve things with austerity measures."