Yesterday, the President of the Regional Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro, pointed out the potential of rural territories, particularly those linked to the wine economy, in the consistency of “environmental, economic and social” sustainability.

“Here in Madalena we have this example of how the improbable, the result of laborious human activity in favor of survival and a generation of identity, has made possible this iconic and distinctive reference, which gives a narrative to the wine economy,” he stressed.

José Manuel Bolieiro spoke in Madalena do Pico at the European conference “Challenges and potential of rural territories”, taking place on various islands in the Azores.

“I would like to associate, with deep political and strategic conviction, these challenges and potentialities of rural territories with the idea of sustainable development, a cause of the United Nations,” said the President of the Government.

José Manuel Bolieiro also valued the evolution of the prestige and quality of Azorean wines, specifically from Pico, highlighting the “narrative of the value of geography, of rurality” and the “positive relationship with nature.”

“We have a political strategy for developing the Azores as a tourist destination that involves sustainability. Here in Pico, we have wine that is unique in the world: what is made here cannot be made anywhere else,” he said.

The European conference brings together representatives of some of the most important associations in Europe’s wine and wine tourism sector, promoting reflection on the potential and challenges facing rural territories.

Speakers and participants from Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Greece are attending the meeting.

From press release