Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa visited the reconstruction works at the port of Lajes das Flores, originally destroyed in October 2019 by Hurricane Lorenzo. The reconstruction is set to be completed by 2029.
During the afternoon visit, when asked by journalists if he regretted not being able to inaugurate the project as President, he responded that he does not, as he is neither nostalgic nor wistful.
“What I had to do, I will continue to do until the last day of my mandate. I will be happy for others to inaugurate the project, as it means the work will be accomplished,” he stated.
He continued by emphasizing the significance of institutions: “The important thing is this: people come and go, but institutions remain. A President serves for five years, or 10 if re-elected. The country, the Autonomous Region of the Azores, the municipalities, and society continue.”
“Ports are always necessary, so I am glad for my successor to come and inaugurate this project. I hope to be around to hear about it, and if in good health, I will visit in 2029,” he declared.
Marcelo recalled his 2029 visit to the port on Flores Island and described the event as “truly devastating.”
“[The force of the sea] demolished the existing port, which meant cutting the island’s contact with the surrounding areas. Immediate and urgent solutions were needed and found,” he added.
He explained that “another natural event occurred in between, [Depression Efrain], which required a project overhaul and a restart of what had been done. That forced second phase was completed, and now we are on the third phase, which involves the port’s expansion and the construction of the final port project for the medium term,” the head of state clarified.
In a session before the port visit, Porto dos Açores company outlined details of the ongoing intervention at the commercial port of Flores Island, representing a total investment of 217 million euros.
Marcelo was also informed about the investments made in the Azores by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere, amounting to 5.5 million euros, including the installation of the Flores weather radar (Morro Alto).
On Saturday, as part of a two-day visit to the Western group of the Azorean islands (Flores and Corvo), the President will travel to Corvo Island, the smallest in the archipelago. In the morning, he will visit the Corvo Wild Birds Interpretation Center and the interpretative trail “Manuel Carlos Jorge do Nascimento.”
In the afternoon, before leaving the island, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will inaugurate the Wind Park and visit the Corvo Photovoltaic Park, located at Cerrado das Vacas. These facilities are part of the “Renewable Corvo” project, enabling energy self-sufficiency.
The Western group of the Azores marks the westernmost boundary of Portugal and Europe.
“Despite representing less than 2% of the population of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, this insular group plays a decisive strategic role in meteorological surveillance, energy transition, and the preservation of Atlantic biodiversity,” stated the Azorean executive in a note sent to the Lusa news agency.
The Azores Regional Government, led by Social Democrat José Manuel Bolieiro, believes the presidential visit to these two islands of the archipelago “symbolizes the recognition of the Western group’s role as a scientific, environmental, and geopolitical platform in the European Atlantic space.”
