Bolieiro defends investment in strategic infrastructure of the Azores

O president of the Regional Government of the Azores (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM), José Manuel Bolieiro, advocates national, European and NATO investment in the “strategic infrastructure” of the archipelago, taking into account its geostrategic position, has been released today.

The governor, quoted in an executive press release, highlights the Atlantic dimension of Portuguese territory, arguing that the Azores “represent a key strategic platform for maritime security, communications, scientific knowledge and international projection of the country”.

“ It is this Atlantic dimension that Portugal, with the Azores, gives to Europe, they give to NATO, they give to the world”, said, defending a change of perspective on the territorial importance of Portugal, which should not be measured only by its terrestrial and demographic dimension, but also by its maritime and spatial extension.

Bolieiro was invited to the CNN Portugal conference “European Security in Transformation: Shaping Autonomy, Inspiring Action Local”, held on Wednesday at the Military University Institute in Lisbon, where he presented an intervention on “Strategic Depth of the Atlantic: Maritime Safety, Critical Infrastructure and European Resilience”.

In the intervention, the governor stated that the geographical position of the archipelago is “an advantage” that needs to be transformed into concrete capabilities, ranging from ocean surveillance to the protection of critical infrastructure and the strengthening of security and defence means.

“ Investing in the Azores is to strengthen maritime security, strategic autonomy and resilience of Europe in the Atlantic,” he stressed, adding that this bet must be taken as a national and European priority.

The governor recalled that the Azores represent about 56% of the Portuguese Exclusive Economic Zone, highlighting the size of its contribution to Portugal's presence in the Atlantic.

The strategic importance of the port infrastructure of Ponta Delgada, Praia da Vitória, Horta and Lajes das Flores, as well as the Base das Lajes, the airport capacities of Santa Maria and the underwater communications links, were also highlighted by José Manuel Bolieiro.

“ There must be national, European and NATO investment in port and airport infrastructure in the Azores,” he said, recalling that the valorisation of these equipment enables both civil and military needs to be met while also promoting competitiveness and economic growth.

The protection of marine ecosystems was also highlighted, with the leader of the Azorean executive recalling the implementation of the Network of Protected Marine Areas of the Azores, which covers 30% of the region's sea, contributing to national and international biodiversity conservation commitments.

Bolieiro also stressed the need for Portugal to recognise the strategic importance of its Atlantic geography and to transform this potential into investment and operational capacity.

“It is turning the periphery into centrality,” he stressed, defending a vision that puts the Azores at the heart of national and European priorities in security, defence, science and development.