Yesterday, representatives of the Azores Parliament met with local Azoreans at the Portuguese Cultural Centre on Laffan Street.

Dr. Alvarino Pinheiro, Vice-President of the Standing Committee for Political Affairs, explained that the delegates are in Bermuda to visit with Azoreans living on the Island and to engage in an interchange of information relating to issues of concern to these residents.

In addition, the delegates will make courtesy calls to various Government ministers and the Governor.

Nearly all of the Portuguese community in Bermuda hails from the Azores and Dr. Alvarino explained that most Azoreans in fact live overseas and this is why such visits are desirable.

"We are happy when we see our people being successful in these countries,'' he said and added that it is economically advantageous to the Azores when Azoreans do well in foreign countries because they send money home.

He added that he felt that the various foreign governments had a lot of respect for the Azorean people in their country and explained that the Premier, Government ministers and the Governor attended a function at the Vasco da Gama club last night.

Dr. Pinheiro said the delegates were concerned that a large number of Azoreans in Bermuda were still employed on contracts and had not gained Bermudian status but said that this would not be discussed with Government officials.

He added that both sides understood the issue and the concerns and felt that further discussion would not be of great assistance.

Luis Bernardo, who coordinated the visit of the Azorean officials, told The Royal Gazette that this year marks the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first Portuguese immigrants to Bermuda.

He said that the Azoreans parliamentarians visit was timely in that regard.

Dr. Pinheiro said that he and the other delegates were enjoying their visit to the Island and had found Bermudians "very welcoming''. He said that he thought people from different islands had a unique understanding of one another. The delegates will fly home on Wednesday.