The joint statement that emerged from the 50th Permanent Bilateral Commission between Portugal and the United States of America (USA) highlights the “high level” dialogue that was held on the subject of the oceans, “particularly the importance of scientific and technological cooperation between universities, government departments, and agencies.”
According to the document, the delegations that visited Terceira stressed their interest in “deepening bilateral economic ties and investments in energy, climate, and the digital transition.”
The goal is to “seize opportunities for a sustainable blue economy, supported by ocean research and new technologies.”
The document states, “An October trade delegation to the United States and major investments by US companies in submarine cables, technology, and the Portuguese services sector have played an important role in promoting these objectives.”
The joint declaration also highlights the strategic importance of the Atlantic region. It proposes the development of a “strong” community of Atlantic coastal states through common initiatives, namely the Atlantic Center and the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation.
The emphasis on the oceans in the Bilateral is important for the Azores.
In August of this year, at an international conference held in Angra do Heroísmo, the president of the regional government, José Manuel Bolieiro, defended “an Atlantic Portugal, which looks at the size of its territory from a maritime and spatial perspective and not just a geographical and terrestrial one.”

Energy, climate, and digital transition deserve “investments”


“I have a lot of confidence in the future of the Azores and Portugal, if the country as a whole understands this condition of being an archipelago country with an Atlantic dimension, by sea and by space,” said José Manuel Bolieiro.
The 50th Permanent Bilateral Commission between Portugal and the United States of America was marked by progress in the labor field. The vice president of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, announced on Tuesday, at the end of the Bilateral, that a meeting of the Labor Commission is planned for the beginning of next year to begin a possible review of the salary scale practiced at the Lajes Base.
The joint document produced after the Bilateral also welcomes the “decision of the Labor Commission to discuss ways to safeguard longevity increments, as established in Article 16 of the Labor Regulations, at an ad hoc meeting in early 2024”.
It is stated that the Labor Commission will produce a report on the matter.
The joint statement said that no pay for local workers at the Lajes Base should fall below the regional minimum wage.
The joint work on soil and aquifer decontamination in the municipality of Praia da Vitória is highlighted in the environmental field. The Permanent Bilateral Commission values the “importance of environmental safety.”

in Diário Insular – José Lourenço-director

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance)  at California State University, Fresno