Terceira island, where Lajes base is located, is seen as vital to NATO
The Azores archipelago and the island of Terceira, where the Lajes base is located, are of “critical importance” to NATO, according to the American ambassador to Portugal.
“We’ve all learned over the years that the Azores and Terceira are of critical importance to national security and to NATO,” said Randi Charno Levine, speaking in Ponta Delgada, in the Azores.
“If you look at the history of the Azores, Lajes has been responsible for everything from supporting local communities after earthquakes, to supporting operations such as in Afghanistan and Iraq,” the ambassador said, adding that it now “plays an important role in the conflict in the Middle East“.
The ambassador, who was speaking at a conference organised by the Azorean newspaper Açoriano Oriental, highlighted the annual investment of US$23 million (around €21 million) in the Lajes Base by the US government, which she said was the “highest since 2006”.
“It’s very clear that from a security point of view the Azores have been and will continue to be of strategic importance,” she said.
Randi Charno Levine also considered that the Azorean community “represents Portugal very well” in the United States, and that it is a “very respected” community.
“The Azorean community in the United States is an extraordinary asset, it is highly respected. The Azorean community is the link between America and Portugal,” the ambassador stressed.
The event was also attended by the vice-president of the Azores regional government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM), Artur Lima, and the US consul in the Azores archipelago, Margaret Campbell.
Randi Charno Levine was appointed ambassador to Portugal in November 2021 (by Joe Biden’s administration) and took up her duties in April 2022, after her appointment was unanimously confirmed by the Senate.
Source: LUSA
