The President of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores (ALRAA), Luís Garcia, presided yesterday over the ceremony marking the formal end of the duties of the Commander of the Azores Maritime Zone, Commodore Paulo Jorge da Conceição Lopes, highlighting “his exemplary leadership and spirit of mission” in the performance of his duties.

“During his command, Commodore Lopes demonstrated not only a deep dedication to the defense of the Azores’ maritime space, but also a clear strategic vision of the decisive role that the Atlantic and the Azores play in the present and future of maritime security,” said the President of the Legislative Assembly at the Azores Maritime Zone Command Handover Ceremony, held at the POL NATO Depot in Ponta Delgada.

On that occasion, President Luís Garcia highlighted “the remarkable contribution” of the Azores Maritime Zone Command, under the leadership of Commodore Paulo Lopes, in preserving marine resources, valuing the sea as a strategic asset, and responding to multiple challenges, emphasizing that his career was also marked “by a very significant closeness to Azorean society,” by his willingness to strengthen institutional partnerships, and by his firmness in defending national and regional interests.

At the inauguration ceremony for the new Commander of the Azores Maritime Zone, Commodore Luís Nicholson Lavrador, the President of the Azorean Parliament wished him “every success in the performance of his duties,” emphasizing his confidence in his ability to continue the Command’s mission, strengthen institutional cooperation, and respond with determination to the present and future challenges of security and protection of the Azores maritime space.

The ceremony also included the inauguration of the Head of the Azores Maritime Department and the Regional Commander of the Azores Maritime Police, during which the President of the Legislative Assembly emphasized “the strategic importance of these functions for safeguarding the maritime interests of the Region and strengthening the operational capacity of the Navy in the Azores,” He also expressed his wishes for “great success in the performance of the responsibilities now assumed.”

From Press Release

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.