On Friday, the President of the Azores Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, welcomed the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, to the island of Flores. The President returned to the archipelago for a two-day official visit to the Western Group, at the invitation of the Azores Government.

The visit began at Porto das Lajes das Flores, where the Head of State attended a technical presentation on the reconstruction project for that port infrastructure, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Lorenzo in 2019.

The project, with a total investment of over €194 million, is one of the largest public works in the region’s recent history and aims to enhance safety, efficiency, and operational capacity in the island’s maritime supply chain. The project includes extending the main pier, constructing a new 170-meter quay, installing a 40-meter-wide logistics platform, and upgrading the energy, water, and lighting networks.

The President of the Republic also attended a technical session promoted by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) on the Flores Weather Radar, installed in Morro Alto. Part of the National Weather Radar Network and funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) under the Blue Hub – Infrastructure Network for the Blue Economy, this investment of around €4.9 million strengthens the scientific and operational capacity of the Azores in monitoring weather phenomena up to 300 kilometers away.

The leader of the Azorean executive sees this presidential visit as “a gesture of closeness and recognition, which strengthens national cohesion and values the contribution of the Azores to the country.”

José Manuel Bolieiro also stressed that “Flores and Corvo are territories of the future, symbols of sustainability and Atlantic affirmation, which deserve the attention and respect of the State.” Also accompanying this visit were the Representative of the Republic for the Autonomous Region of the Azores, Pedro Catarino, and the President of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, Luís Garcia, as mentioned in the official government statement.

In Correio dos Açores, Natalino Viveiros-director.

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