LISBON, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Politicians and businessmen from the Azores flew into Madeira on Tuesday to celebrate the second summit between Portugal's two autonomous regions.
"No topic will be taboo during the visit," said Vasco Cordeiro, president of the Regional Government of the Azores, on arrival, according to the Lusa Portuguese News Agency.
Cordeiro was welcomed by Miguel Albuquerque, president of the Regional Government of Madeira. "Above all else, this visit is about strengthening ties of friendship, cooperation and a defense of common interests," said Albuquerque.
Portugal's two autonomous regions are led by different political parties, Cordeiro being a Socialist (PS) and Albuquerque a Social-Democrat (PSD).
But the mid-Atlantic archipelagos have much in common, as they discovered in 2016 when a Madeira delegation traveled to Azores for the first Madeira/Azores Atlantic Summit.
The reunion resulted in a dozen protocols being signed, pledging cooperation in areas such as health, construction, civil protection, transport, European affairs and artisan crafts.
Air and maritime links will be on the agenda this year, as well as the sea, science and technology.
The summit runs until Thursday.
