Isabel Ferreira is the Secretary of State for the Valuation of the Interior of the Portuguese Government. In other words, she is one of the main people responsible for the fight against depopulation in the neighbouring country. Tomorrow, the Portuguese politician will take part in the conference Reasons to Stay, organised by LA OPINIÓN-EL CORREO DE ZAMORA, in collaboration with the Rei Afonso Henriques Foundation.

- What can be done in terms of cross-border cooperation to alleviate the problem of depopulation?

-What can be done corresponds to the work we are already doing. The new territorial cohesion policy seeks to alleviate the problem of depopulation by attracting investment to the hinterland, diversifying and qualifying the productive fabric, exploiting endogenous potential, promoting the settlement of people in the hinterland and affirming cross-border territories. We also have the Common Strategy for Cross-Border Development (ECDT), which is a strategic document and constitutes a flexible and guiding tool that defines the general lines to provide an inclusive response aimed at territorial development, the creation of opportunities and the development of personal, professional and family projects, especially for women and young people.

-What similarities do you find between the inland areas of Portugal and the part of the Raya in Spain?

-The inland areas of Portugal and La Raya in Spain have been following historical, political, economic, social and cultural dynamics that show a relative similarity, thus favouring the development of stable relations of cooperation. We cannot fail to recognise that the depopulation and ageing of the territories on both sides of La Raya is intensifying, among the most accentuated in the European Union, and with negative demographic prospects for the future. These two phenomena are among the most significant in terms of their social and territorial impact. However, if these territories are assessed from a cross-border perspective and with integrated measures, they have enormous potential for growth and increased competitiveness. They have unique endogenous resources that can attract entrepreneurial dynamics and business investment that would generate employment and contribute to the fixation of the population and the attraction of young people. In other words, there are common challenges for these territories in Portugal and Spain. We understand that the best way to overcome them is also by resorting to common responses.

-Are the agreements reached in Guarda eight months ago being fulfilled?

Yes, the Portuguese government has been in close talks with the Spanish government on the implementation of measures aimed at the cross-border area since the Spanish-Portuguese summit in Guarda approved the Common Cross-Border Development Strategy. Following this, regular bilateral relations have been promoted to follow up and monitor the actions of the strategy. This permanent dialogue is necessary, and has been very useful, because the strategy, a pioneer in Europe, contributes with concrete measures to create new economic centres in the Portugal-Spain cross-border regions, which will settle populations and attract new residents to these places. This strategy is of great importance for the development of cooperation between Portugal and Spain and marks the start of a long-term process for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of its measures.

-What can we expect from the new European Community framework in the fight against the demographic challenge?

-The European Union defined the objectives for the next EU financial programming framework and called for combating climate change, building the digital society and reducing inequalities. But it also has as a central objective to respond to the demographic challenge, through the implementation of active employment policies and attracting inward investment, combined with housing support measures and fiscal incentives that aim to support the settlement of people in the hinterland and attract new residents and businesses for greater social and territorial cohesion.

-What strategies should be devised to fix the population in areas such as Tras-Os-Montes and Zamora when there are poles of attraction such as Lisbon, Oporto or Madrid?

-In Portugal, the public policy measures included in the Hinterland Valuation Plan are implemented in the creation of lines of financial incentives to attract investment and support for entities located in the different regions. We have paid particular attention to support for higher education institutions, to measures to secure and attract qualified people and to the training and creation of public services of general interest that are fundamental to the quality of life of families. We have nine programmes that are fundamentally dedicated to companies, social economy entities and entities of the scientific and technological system, with the objective of promoting social and economic development, the supply of qualified employment, innovation and technology transfer, with a special focus on the interior and cross-border territories. The operationalisation of these strategies is associated with financial instruments with specific allocations and adapted to these territories. One of the main objectives is to increase the creation of value in the inland territories, which is only possible through the enhancement of the activities carried out in these territories, with the incorporation of knowledge and technology, which requires qualified people and allows higher salaries to be paid.

-Do you see an opportunity in that sense after the pandemic?

-It became clear to everyone that the COVID-19 pandemic has relentlessly scarred the border areas between Portugal and Spain. Portugal and Spain experienced a serious public health situation and a change in the daily life of the Portuguese and Spanish populations, individually and collectively, with an impact on economic life. The magnitude of the challenge faced by the societies involved a substantial and painful change in social normality. It is now urgent to join all efforts to strengthen the process of convergence of cross-border territories in order to revitalise the socio-economic fabric, due to the impact generated by the closure of borders and the slowdown in economic activities as a result of the pandemic outbreak. There will have to be a structural adaptation of economies to a post-COVID reality and the programming of support mechanisms for the economy will have to be carried out, either through national or European funds, or other available instruments.

-You recently met with Francesc Boya in Braga. What conclusions did you draw from this meeting?

-We participated in a workshop on Portuguese-Spanish collaboration in science and innovation. In this event, it was possible to analyse the challenges faced by Portugal and Spain in the areas of energy and agri-food, with a focus on science and innovation and opportunities for collaboration at the Portuguese and Spanish level. It was very important to listen to existing initiatives and share perspectives for the future on the most relevant areas of common interest. There was also an opportunity to meet at the political level and extremely important issues for the cross-border territories were discussed. This bilateral meeting was very fruitful and allowed us to conclude that we are articulated and committed to achieving common goals.

-The conference organised by La Opinión de Zamora will allow you to meet again with Boya and other public officials involved in the demographic issue. What ideas do you hope to take away from this meeting?

Participating in the conference is an opportunity to hear the perspectives of local, regional and national authorities on the demographic challenge and ways of tackling it through the strengthening of cross-border cooperation and a good articulation and application of future EU financial instruments. This event will allow us to understand that the demographic challenge in the cross-border territories of Portugal and Spain must be closely monitored and articulated by the public entities of the two countries, given its importance. It is a great pleasure to join this debate and I am sure that it will lead to an important reflection on the future of our border.