The President of the Azores Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, met with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, in a meeting that took on particular significance in the current context of negotiations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework. The meeting took place at the European Parliament headquarters and was also attended by the President of the Madeira Regional Government, Miguel Albuquerque.

The meeting marked the end of a three-day visit to Brussels, entirely dedicated to defending the Outermost Regions, at a time when several proposals from the European Commission have raised serious concerns about the future of support for these territories. “Throughout this trip, the Azores and Madeira sought to strengthen the joint position of the nine ORs and ensure that the permanent specificities of the outermost regions are fully taken into account in the negotiation process,” the statement said.

According to the executive, the meeting with Roberta Metsola allowed these concerns to be discussed in depth directly with the leadership of the European Parliament, an institution that will play a decisive role in the next stages of the MFF.

The President of the Regional Government highlighted “the great willingness and political motivation that Parliament shows in defending the ORs,” adding that this signal is especially important at a time when financial adjustments that could have a significant impact on the ORs are being discussed. For the President of the Azores Government, it was clear that “President Metsola understands well the reality and challenges of these regions.”

In addition to issues related to European funding, the meeting also served to reinforce the need for full implementation of Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which recognizes the permanent specificities of the ORs and provides for appropriate compensation mechanisms.

José Manuel Bolieiro stressed that this article “is not just a legal norm, but a political guarantee that must be respected in practice,” recalling that the costs of insularity, distance from markets, and responsibilities as external borders of the Union cannot be ignored in the definition of Community policies.

The meeting with Roberta Metsola concluded a busy agenda that began with the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Conference of Presidents of the ORs, where a joint declaration was signed calling for fair and balanced treatment in the next European financial cycle. On the second day, the document was presented to the Vice-President of the European Commission, Raffaele Fitto, at a time considered strategic for bringing the main concerns of these regions to the attention of the Commission.

José Manuel Bolieiro believes that this trip has helped to strengthen the position of the ORs in a European debate that is expected to be demanding but decisive for the future of the outermost regions.

The meetings held over the three days will now be followed up with technical and political contacts to ensure that the demands presented are translated into concrete results in the MFF negotiation process, the executive concludes.

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.