The Board of Directors of the Association of Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of the Azores (AMRAA), chaired by Carlos Ferreira for the 2025–2029 term, met on January 23, 2026, with José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Governo Regional dos Açores, as part of an institutional visit whose primary purpose was to exchange formal greetings and strengthen dialogue between the two bodies.

A range of issues of strategic importance to the Region and to local government were discussed, with particular emphasis on the need for close cooperation between municipalities and the Regional Government of the Azores to maximize the execution of European Union funds, ensuring their more effective use in support of local and regional development.

Participants also underscored the importance of a unified position in advocating for compensation for the additional costs of insularity, especially in the context of the ongoing review of the Local Finance Law and the Regional Finance Law, so as to secure fairer and more appropriate responses to the real needs of Azorean communities.

Another key topic focused on safeguarding the specific conditions of the outermost regions in the decision-making processes of European institutions, as well as in the design of policies and support instruments for the post-2030 period, reaffirming the importance of continued recognition of these realities within the European framework.

The meeting took place in an atmosphere of institutional cooperation and mutual understanding, with a shared commitment expressed to further strengthen coordination between the Regional Government of the Azores and Azorean municipalities on strategic matters shaping the Region’s future.

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.