The “Sister Cities Summit” is set to take place from June 25 to 27 in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island, as part of the 40th-anniversary celebrations of the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD).
The organization announced the program of the meeting during a press conference at the Palácio da Conceição in Ponta Delgada, noting the existence of around 60 sister city agreements between Portugal and the United States.
“This event celebrates the positive aspects of the relationship between Portugal and the United States, highlighting the best elements of this historical bilateral relationship,” said José Andrade, Regional Director of Communities, when asked by Lusa about concerns involving the new U.S. administration, such as potential deportations of Azorean emigrants.
In regards to the Azores, Andrade noted the historical ties “throughout America, from coast to coast,” and the “reasons to celebrate 230 years of historical relations via the world’s oldest continuously operating consulate in Ponta Delgada.”
Additionally, he pointed out, there are “60 reasons to celebrate these transatlantic relations through numerous municipal partnerships” between Portuguese cities and those in the United States.
“Regardless of what may occur and the circumstances under which the event takes place, we want to celebrate the positive aspect of the relationship between Portugal and the United States, which is significant enough to be celebrated,” Andrade stated.
The regional director of communities also mentioned that the meeting aims to “acknowledge and appreciate the importance of Portugal-U.S. relations,” highlighting the significant role of local governance in these relations.
Leonor Durão Barroso, FLAD’s Director of Transatlantic Relations, who presented the initiative’s program, stated there would be spaces for dialogue, debate, and discussions on the transatlantic relationship.
“It is a meeting between cities and between cities and civil society, as it aims to be open,” she explained.
The “Sister Cities Summit” will feature an inaugural conference on “Water and the Future of Cities” and cooperation panels covering artificial intelligence, economy, society and culture, education, science, and technology.
There will also be a tribute to the 230 years of the U.S. Consulate in Ponta Delgada and a performance by FADOalado and Orquestra Ligeira de Ponta Delgada.
On the final day, a closing conference will be delivered by José Manuel Durão Barroso, former Prime Minister and President of the European Commission, with the presence of the President of the Regional Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro, and the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, announced for the closing session.
David Lopes, coordinator of the 40th-anniversary celebrations of FLAD, also participated in the press conference remotely. He outlined the general aspects of the program and revealed that on September 18 and 19, the Azores will host a commemorative conference for the 30th anniversary of the Portugal-U.S. cooperation and defense agreement and the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The “Lajes International Conference” will take place at the Ramo Grande auditorium in Praia da Vitória, Terceira Island, and will include a rendition of the song performed by Frank Sinatra there in 1945.
The sister cities meeting between Portugal and the U.S. is organized by FLAD and the Regional Government of the Azores through the Presidency of the Government and the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary and Community Affairs, with the high patronage of the President of the Republic.
