Azores Strengthens Ties with West Africa & Macaronesia
The Azores is solidifying its role as a vital diplomatic hub in the Atlantic, following a high-level meeting of the ATLANTE Project held this Thursday in Angra do Heroísmo. Artur Lima, Vice-President of the Regional Government of the Azores, praised the “consolidation of strategic relations” between the islands of Macaronesia and key partners across West Africa.
A Bridge Across the Atlantic
During the summit, Vice-President Lima met with European partners to discuss the future of the ATLANTE Project, an initiative designed to foster cooperation between archipelagos and the African continent. Lima expressed satisfaction with the joint commitment shown by all parties, noting that the meeting served as a critical moment for strategic coordination.
“Holding this meeting in the Azores reaffirms the Regional Government’s commitment to positioning our archipelago as a privileged platform for dialogue within the Atlantic space,” Lima stated.
The ATLANTE Project: Regional Integration
The ATLANTE Project represents a unique alliance between the three European outermost regions of Macaronesia—the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands—and seven West African nations. The partner countries include Cape Verde, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Ghana, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Ivory Coast.
The meeting focused on outlining the next phases of the project, with officials drafting strategies to maximize the impact of their shared regional actions. The Azores participates in this initiative through its Regional Directorate for European Affairs and External Cooperation.
Strengthening South-South Cooperation
By bringing together diverse partners from Europe and Africa, the project aims to address common challenges in the Atlantic region, ranging from economic development to environmental sustainability. For the Azores, leadership in this project serves as a cornerstone of its broader foreign policy, ensuring the archipelago remains central to international maritime and political strategy.
Image: Pexels – Justin Coonan
