1 - The Council of State met at Belém Palace and was heard on the discharge and appointment of the Ministers of the Republic for the Autonomous Region of the Azores and the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

2 - The Council of State was informed by His Excellency the President of the Republic about the consultations he has made on this process, particularly those with the Regional Legislative Assemblies.

3 - The Council of State expressed its appreciation and recognition of the way the former Ministers of the Republic had fulfilled their functions.

4 - In accordance with the Constitution, the Council of state decided to issue a unanimous opinion in favour of Dr. Mário Pinto and Vice-Admiral Artur Rodrigues standing down from the Positions of Minister of the Republic for the Azores and for Madeira respectively, and issued an opinion, by 14 votes to 1, in favour of the appointment of Advisory Judges Alberto Sampaio da Nóvoa and Antero Monteiro Diniz to the same positions.