As part of his five-day Official Visit to the Autonomous Region of the Azores from 27 June to 2 July 2026, Comendador Anthony Bailey, Hon. Consul-General of His Majesty The King of Tonga to the Portuguese Republic, visited the island of São Jorge, where he was received by Catarina Oliveira Cabeceiras, President of the Municipality of Velas.
Upon his arrival at the historic City Hall of Velas, the island’s principal town and seat of municipal administration, the Hon. Consul-General was welcomed by Carla Silveira, Chief of Cabinet to the Mayor, before being received by Mayor Cabeceiras in her office. The Hon. Consul-General was accompanied during the meeting by his Personal Assistant, Mr Finn Phillips-Riggs.
Mayor Cabeceiras, who previously served as Vice-President of the Legislative Assembly of the Azores and became the first woman to lead the Municipality of Velas, welcomed the Hon. Consul-General during this landmark year in which the Autonomous Region commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of Azorean autonomy and the establishment of its Legislative Assembly.
The meeting took place in a warm and cordial atmosphere and provided an opportunity to discuss strengthening relations between the Kingdom of Tonga and the island of São Jorge. Although separated by many thousands of kilometres and situated in different oceans, Tonga and the Azores share many common characteristics as island archipelagos, including proud maritime traditions, resilient communities, a deep respect for the natural environment and a strong cultural identity shaped by the sea.
Particular attention was given to the possibility of establishing educational partnerships between schools on São Jorge and schools in the Kingdom of Tonga, enabling young people in both archipelagos to gain a greater understanding of one another’s history, culture, traditions and island way of life. Opportunities to encourage cultural exchange, institutional cooperation and wider people-to-people links were also explored.
The discussions also celebrated the distinctive identity of São Jorge, home to approximately 8,000 inhabitants and internationally renowned for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, spectacular fajãs and the world-renowned São Jorge cheese, which enjoys European Union Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. Agriculture, dairy farming, fishing and sustainable tourism continue to form the backbone of the island’s economy and contribute to its unique character within the Azorean archipelago.
Comendador Bailey remarked that many of the qualities that define São Jorge strongly resonate with the Kingdom of Tonga. Both communities understand the opportunities and challenges of island life and share a deep commitment to preserving their natural environment, maritime heritage and cultural traditions. He noted that these shared values provide an excellent foundation upon which to build lasting cooperation and friendship between the two island communities.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Mayor Cabeceiras presented the Hon. Consul-General with a beautiful commemorative ceramic plate, handcrafted by a local São Jorge artist António Pedroso and bearing the coat of arms of the Municipality of Velas. Comendador Bailey expressed his sincere appreciation for the thoughtful gift, describing it as a lasting symbol of the growing friendship between the people of São Jorge and the Kingdom of Tonga.
The visit to São Jorge also marked an important personal milestone, completing Comendador Bailey’s visits to all nine islands of the Autonomous Region of the Azores in his capacity as Hon. Consul-General of His Majesty The King of Tonga to the Portuguese Republic. Reflecting on this achievement, he reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the Kingdom of Tonga’s friendship and cooperation with communities throughout the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira, both of which form part of his consular jurisdiction.
The meeting in Velas formed part of the Hon. Consul-General’s wider programme of official engagements across the Autonomous Region, which included audiences with the Representative of the Republic for the Autonomous Region of the Azores, the President of the Legislative Assembly of the Azores and the President of the Regional Government of the Azores.
As discussions concluded, both parties expressed their confidence that this first official meeting would mark the beginning of a lasting friendship between the Municipality of Velas and the Kingdom of Tonga, founded upon shared island values, mutual respect and a common outlook towards the sea.
