With a growing sense of unease over the use of Portugal’s Azores air base by the Americans in their war against Iran, the president of the autonomous region has called today for a review of the Bilateral Defense and Cooperation Agreement that has been in place between the two countries for decades.
The focus of José Manuel Bolieiro’s argument is that the Azores (namely, Terceira Island, where Lajes air base sits) should receive compensation, in light of the “increase in its geostrategic value”.
Bolieiro also used a curious caveat in his call. He referred to use of Lajes by the Americans in an ‘act of justice’.
According to Lusa, José Manuel Bolieiro admits that “perhaps, at this stage, for Portugal as an ally, it is difficult given the current American situation, its administration, and the context of the international positioning that the U.S. has adopted in terms of security and defence.”
In other words, perhaps “this is not exactly the most opportune moment to talk about renegotiating international agreements,” but “as soon as that opportunity arises, it is only fair and appropriate, given the resurgence of the geopolitical and geostrategic value of the Azores,” he said, in the wake of an interview he gave yesterday to Rádio Renascença, and Público newspaper, in which he outlined his proposal.
The leader of the regional government refers to the air base’s “resurgence of geostrategic value” in the context “not only of NATO, but also of the transatlantic relationship and global international security and defence,” suggesting that this is ample reason for the agreement to be “revisited.”
“According to the Constitution, it is clearly and undoubtedly foreseen that the region must participate in international negotiations concerning the Azores,” and “the Azores should also benefit from the resulting advantages,” he stressed.
Bolieiro acknowledges that the Azores have become “increasingly relevant as a geopolitical and geostrategic territory” for Portugal, the European Union, and NATO – which implies “the opportunity to strengthen alliance ties with the USA,” – a country that should “also consider the contribution it can make to the Autonomous Region of the Azores.”
Equally, within the framework of increased investment in security and defence, Bolieiro argues that “a significant part of (new) infrastructures should be built in the Azores,” having the “essential quality of dual use,” and also aiming to “contribute to the social and territorial cohesion of the region.”
The so-called Lajes Agreement was last revised in 1995, at which time the financial compensation, amounting to approximately 40 million dollars, that the Azores received for use of the military infrastructure by the USA was eliminated.
In 2015, the Americans initiated a process of reducing the US military and civilian presence at Lajes Air Base, following geopolitical changes.
There was a significant decrease in both the number of American military personnel and Portuguese civilian workers serving at the base.
The departure of hundreds of military families deeply affected the local Terceira economy, and the rental market. Effects were most keenly felt in Praia da Vitória, where the base is located – and which has had the added burden of coping with pollution emanating from activities at the base, which has been linked to the number of local cancers*.
*for further information, click here
Source: Lusa
