The leader of the Azores’ executive coalition PSD/CDS-PP/PPM addressed António Costa in a letter accessed today, expressing both a necessity and a sign of confidence. The necessity arises from the Autonomous Region of the Azores’ stance advocating for changes in the European Commission’s proposal for the post-2027 multiannual financial framework (QFP). The confidence stems from institutional and personal knowledge of Costa’s abilities.
Bolieiro emphasizes that he writes to António Costa as both the President of the European Council and someone respected for their leadership skills within the European Union. He advocates that the next QFP should maintain specific allocations for the Outermost Regions (RUP), the POSEI program, and co-financing rates at 85%, adjusted to their limitations, ensuring effective participation in the formulation and execution of relevant policies.
He stresses the importance of the full integration of RUP into European programs to secure their involvement in the EU’s development dynamics. Attached to the letter was a speech Bolieiro delivered in Brussels detailing the Azores Regional Government’s position, underscoring the need to amend the post-2027 QFP proposal.
In Brussels, Bolieiro described the proposed QFP 2028-2034 as a “worrying setback” for RUP due to the removal of regional differentiation in the European framework. He argues that merging historical policies into a single fund under the National and Regional Partnership Plans eliminates unique treatment of RUP.
Bolieiro spoke at a seminar organized by Eurodom, an association representing French overseas regions since 1989. He reminded that Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union mandates differentiated policies tailored to RUP’s specific needs, a principle that has underpinned over three decades of European advancement in these regions.
He argued that retreating from this legal, political, and moral commitment was unnecessary. He warned that budget centralization undermines territorial priorities, weakens regional autonomy, and jeopardizes the efficacy of cohesion policy.
Bolieiro highlighted the absence of protected financial allocations for RUP as a threat to economic and social convergence, risking food sovereignty, social stability, and sustainable development. He deemed the potential elimination of POSEI—a critical program for the economic independence of RUP—and production support chains disastrous for the Azores, heavily reliant on imports, and insists these must be retained and reinforced in the next QFP.
In July, the European Commission proposed a new long-term EU budget for 2028-2034, totaling two trillion euros, an increase from the current 1.2 trillion, incorporating additional national contributions and three new taxes.
