"The two archipelagos have been turning their backs on each other, whether in terms of investment, science, or 'start ups'. I believe there is a long way to go and this is the first step," stated the vice-president of the Regional Government of the Azores (PSD/CDS/PPM), Artur Lima, in statements to journalists.

Artur Lima, who oversees the area of science and technology in the Azores, was speaking on the sidelines of a visit by the regional secretary for the Economy, Sea and Fisheries of Madeira (PSD/CDS-PP), Rui Barreto, to the Science and Technology Park of Terceira Island (Terinov), in Angra do Heroísmo.

The Azorean official argued that the two regions should "forge closer ties" with each other, but also with the European Union and the United States of America.

According to Artur Lima, who also oversees external cooperation, the Azores and Madeira can collaborate both in the area of science and technology, and in attracting investment and trade, where he highlighted Azorean products such as meat, cheese and butter.

"We need to create direct export channels to Madeira. This is very important," he stressed, also advocating for collaboration between universities and science and technology parks in the two archipelagos.

Rui Barreto recalled that the two regions already have protocols in the areas of innovation and research, but argued that it is important to strengthen the connection.

"Our presence here is to strengthen ties of cooperation, knowledge sharing, to understand what the Azoreans are doing well and what the Madeirans are doing well, and to be able to add value to work better in our markets, but also to look outwards," he pointed out.

The Madeiran official claimed that the outermost regions, common to the two archipelagos, "which historically have been a great difficulty, can today be a great opportunity", with the development of new technologies.

"We need to start thinking about what projects we can develop by adding value between the research centres and universities of the Azores and Madeira and transfer this knowledge to companies, because this is the only way we will have more efficient companies in the future and more competitive in the global market," he stressed.

Rui Barreto also stressed that the Atlantic dimension of Portugal and the European Union "is largely due to the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores", arguing that the two regions have "an important role to play in the co-management of the Portuguese territorial zone".

"There is a set of projects that can be developed in knowledge, underwater mapping, research projects, marine ecosystem preservation projects, but also underwater prospecting projects, to better understand our reserves," he listed, adding that Madeira can share knowledge with the Azores in the area of aquaculture.

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