Michael Dunkley concluded what he described as a “very successful” visit to the Azores before hopping on a plane to New York where he will turn his attention to the America’s Cup ... and baseball.

Mr Dunkley, the Premier, will be guest of honour at Yankee Stadium tomorrow night when he will throw out the symbolic first pitch at the New York Yankees versus Boston Red Sox game.

The “Auld Mug”, the America’s Cup Trophy, will also be on display at the game, which is expected to be watched by more than 50,000 spectators.

Over the weekend he’ll be taking part in activities in support of the America’s Cup World Series (ACWS) and meeting with the media.

Leaving the Azores, a group of islands some 850 miles from the western coast of Portugal — from which many Bermudians and their families originated — Mr Dunkley said the trip had helped foster a greater appreciation and understanding between the two countries.

Accompanied by Trevor Moniz, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Dr Derrick Binns, Secretary to the Cabinet, and Kimberley Durrant, a Bermuda Government’s London office representative, the Premier spent his last day touring various sites as well as making a courtesy call to Ana Luís, president of the Legislative Assembly of the Azores.

The Bermuda delegation took the opportunity to visit the Capelinhos Vulcano Interpretative Centre, the Oceanography and Fisheries Department of the University of the Azores, the Wine Museum’s Protected Vineyard Landscape of Pico Island, the Whalers’ Museum, and the Lajido in Criação Velha vineyard — a Unesco World Heritage Site.

However, the purpose of the trip was for Mr Dunkley to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two Governments, which took place earlier in the week.

Providing an overview of the visit, Mr Dunkley said: “This week my colleagues and I had the pleasure of touring this amazing country. We visited some of the most incredible natural and cultural landmarks and what a breathtaking experience it was. Like Bermuda, it’s clear that tourism is very important to the Azores.

“The landscape was visually stunning, replete with unique architecture, beautiful flora and fauna, mountains, ancient volcanoes and hot springs and, of course, some of the friendliest people in the world.

“Certainly, two days just wasn’t enough to take it all in, but for the time that we were there, we were graciously welcomed and embraced.

“We also appreciated the invaluable opportunity to learn more about the Azores’ business, science and technology sectors.

“Even though we have links that date back centuries, I still believe that we have much to learn from one another. And the formalising of our ties with a Memorandum of Understanding has the potential to open up so many possibilities for both our countries, particularly as it relates to matters to do with aviation, education, energy, technology and commerce.”

He added: “This has been a very successful visit. President Vasco Cordeiro, his Azorean government colleagues and the people of the Azores were wonderful hosts and the memories from our visit will remain with us forever.”