As part of his official visit to the Autonomous Region of the Azores, Comendador Anthony Bailey, Hon Consul-General of His Majesty The King of Tonga to the Portuguese Republic, paid a courtesy visit on 29 June 2026 to His Excellency Eng.\u00ba Lu\u00eds Garcia, President of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, at the Assembly’s headquarters in Horta, on the island of Faial.<\/p>\n
The meeting took place at a particularly significant moment in the history of both island communities. In 2026, the Autonomous Region of the Azores marks the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of its political autonomy within the Portuguese Republic following the creation of its autonomous institutions in 1976. At the same time, the Kingdom of Tonga is commemorating the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its Constitution of 1875, promulgated by King George Tupou I, one of the oldest written constitutions still in force anywhere in the world and the oldest in the Pacific. Both anniversaries celebrate enduring traditions of constitutional government, democratic representation and the peaceful evolution of self-government.<\/p>\n
The Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores is the democratically elected parliament of the Region and one of Portugal’s two autonomous regional legislatures. Established in 1976 under the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, it exercises legislative authority over matters of regional competence and scrutinises the work of the Regional Government. The Assembly currently comprises 57 elected Members, representing eight political parties, who are elected every four years by proportional representation from constituencies across the nine islands of the archipelago.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, President Lu\u00eds Garcia and the Consul-General exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and explored opportunities for strengthening parliamentary cooperation between the Kingdom of Tonga and the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Discussions focused on the possibility of developing closer institutional links between the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores and the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, including exchanges of parliamentarians, the sharing of legislative best practice and the promotion of dialogue between two island legislatures which, despite being located in different oceans, face many similar opportunities and challenges.<\/p>\n
The Consul-General noted that Tonga’s Legislative Assembly, established under the Constitution of 1875, is the Kingdom’s unicameral national parliament. It consists of 27 Members, comprising 17 People’s Representatives, elected by the people of Tonga, 9 Nobles’ Representatives, elected by the hereditary nobles, and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. The Parliament plays a central role in Tonga’s constitutional monarchy and democratic system of government.<\/p>\n
Following the audience, President Lu\u00eds Garcia kindly accompanied the Consul-General on a tour of the Assembly’s debating chamber, providing a valuable opportunity to see first-hand the home of Azorean democracy and to gain a deeper appreciation of the Legislative Assembly’s role in the governance of the Autonomous Region.<\/p>\n
The President also invited the Consul-General to visit the neighbouring Museum of Parliament. The museum’s recently inaugurated exhibition offers a remarkable account of the Azorean people’s long journey towards self-government and political autonomy, tracing the constitutional, political and social developments that culminated in the creation of the Autonomous Region in 1976. The exhibition provides an engaging insight into one of the defining chapters of modern Azorean history and the development of democratic institutions in the islands.<\/p>\n
Commenting following the visit, Comendador Anthony Bailey said:<\/p>\n
“It was a great honour to be received by President Lu\u00eds Garcia at such an important moment in the history of the Azores. As the Azores celebrate fifty years of autonomy and Tonga commemorates one hundred and fifty years of its Constitution, our two island communities share a deep respect for constitutional government, representative democracy and the rule of law. I greatly welcome the opportunity to explore closer parliamentary cooperation and future exchanges between our respective legislative assemblies.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The Consul-General expressed his sincere appreciation to President Lu\u00eds Garcia for his warm welcome and generous hospitality, and for the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the history, democratic institutions and constitutional development of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.<\/p>\n
Official websites<\/h3>\n
Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores
\nhttps:\/\/www.alra.pt<\/a><\/p>\nLegislative Assembly of Tonga (Parliament of Tonga)
\nhttps:\/\/parliament.gov.to<\/a><\/p>\nFacebook<\/h3>\n
Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores
\nhttps:\/\/www.facebook.com\/assembleiaacores<\/a><\/p>\nParliament of Tonga
\nhttps:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TongaParliament<\/a><\/p>\nInstagram<\/h3>\n