On Wednesday, the Vice-President of the Azores signed a cooperation protocol between the Government of the Autonomous Region of the Azores and the Government of the Autonomous Region of Príncipe in areas of common objectives and challenges. “This is a first step that we want to bear fruit and that is also progressive in its various actions,” said Artur Lima.

He emphasized that the agreement now in place “is intended to be pragmatic, practical and executable”, with both regions having “a lot to learn from each other”. The protocol signed between the Azores and the Autonomous Region of Príncipe aims to promote strategic cooperation in science and technology, communications, education and training, renewable energy, the sea, the environment, and agriculture. “It’s a protocol of sharing, of sharing a people, in the first place, of all this solidarity of being an islander,” said the Vice-President of the Government.

The closer ties between the Regions materialize in “environmental protection, culture, science, tourism, the sea, agriculture. All these areas are part of an islander’s experience,” he continued. “We can help a lot with energy self-sufficiency”, an area in which the Azores are ‘investing a lot’ and have ‘achieved tangible results’, stressed Artur Lima. He pointed out that, in terms of cooperation in education, “it’s possible that we could collaborate on scholarships for students from Príncipe.”

The shared challenges and objectives also extend to the agricultural sector: “this government has made a huge effort to promote food self-sustainability, and this is fundamental in an autonomous region,” said Artur Lima. “Autonomy is a conquest of both peoples and we, as rulers, have a duty and obligation to fight for it in order to provide the best living conditions for our populations,” stressed Artur Lima after signing the protocol. He continued, ” Autonomy is a continuous, progressive process that will never end. It must evolve. It must progress.”

On April 29th, the Vice President of the Government of the Azores attended the celebrations for the 30th anniversary of the autonomy of the Autonomous Region of Príncipe.

From Press Release.

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