The President of the Government of the Azores, José  Manuel Bolieiro, spoke today, June 25, during the opening of the Sister Cities Summit held in Ponta Delgada, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Azores as a bridge between Europe and North America.

Highlighting  the geostrategic position of the archipelago in the North Atlantic for defense, economic opportunities, and innovation, mentioning its role in defense, competitiveness, digital tech, blue economy, and space economy,  President Bolieiro remarked: 

“The historical presence of the U.S. armed forces at Lajes Air Base acknowledges and leverages the Azores in the context of the relations between Portugal and the United States. The Azores are not just a remote territory, but a strategic asset for Portugal and the European Union. The location of the Azores in the middle of the Atlantic allows the Region to significantly contribute to security and defence, as well as to competitiveness and innovation through high-performance technological infrastructure.”

As he drew attention to the longstanding bilateral infrastructure agreement between the United States and Portugal, regarding the presence of the American armed forces at Lajes Air Base, President Bolieiro stressed the significance of the region’s transatlantic ties, the renewed geostrategic importance of Lajes Air Base, particularly in light of rising tensions in the Middle East, due to its central location in the North Atlantic.

Read the full speech @ azores.gov.pt

PAJ/Staff

Lajes Air Base, a U.S. military field located on Terceira Island in the Azores is a critical strategic hub for the United States, NATO, and Portugal due to its central location in the North Atlantic. It supports transatlantic aircraft operations, enabling rapid military deployment across Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Its operational flexibility, including hot-pit refueling and support for NATO exercises, enhances allied readiness. Operationally, Lajes Air Base is known for its flexibility. It supports hot-pit refueling operations, enabling quick turnaround for advanced aircraft like the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, without extensive ground infrastructure.

The base is also a frequent site for multinational NATO exercises, bolstering interoperability and readiness among allied forces. Diplomatically, Lajes is a cornerstone of the bilateral defense relations between the United States and Portugal, for transatlantic cooperation to ensure NATO cohesion.