Brussels, 26/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - On the sidelines of the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg, Maurice Ponga (EPP, France) welcomed the European Commission's adoption, on 6 November, of its communication, “Elements for a New Partnership between the EU and the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs)”. This communication, which was proposed by the Commission's DG Development, is part of a reflection process opened by the Commission in June 2008, following publication of its Green Paper on the future of relations between the EU and the OCTs. It constitutes one of the steps towards the definition of a new EU strategy for the OCTs that will be presented in 2011 and should be implemented from 2014.
The Regional Policy Directorate General at the European Commission was closely involved in the preparation of the Green Paper and communication. Since the joint meeting in Paris in June 2008, under French Presidency, between Commissioners Danuta Hübner (Regional Policy) and Louis Michel (Development) and representatives of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, France (which have OCTs), Portugal and Spain (which have outermost regions), DG Regio has been very supportive of the idea of a new partnership between the EU and the OCTs, based on four key messages. (1) Supporting the idea of a new partnership between the EU and the OCTs. It is appropriate: - to examine the justification, purpose and nature of the EU-OCT relationship and, in particular, its financial instrument; - to re-examine the trade regime applicable to the OCTs in the light of continuing globalisation, trade liberalisation and the emergence of regional markets; - to examine how challenges related to the environment and financial services might be best dealt with. (2) The need to avoid establishing a parallel between OCTs and the outermost regions, as, unlike the outermost regions, OCTs are not part of the EU. As an example, the aim of the Community's cohesion policy is not relevant to the OCTs as they are not covered by the EC Treaty. (3) Supporting the idea of examining and further promoting the issue of the OCTs' role in environmental agreements, the implementation of measures equivalent to Community legislation (such as Natura 2000), the link with ongoing initiatives (including in the area of climate change and the conduct of strategic environmental assessments in the OCTs. (4) Expressing interest in the idea of OCTs as “centres of experience and expertise” within their regions. This could prove effective in rapid response to disasters. In this respect, it is important to stress that there should be coherence with Regional ACP (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) programmes and the EU Natural Disaster Facility.
The aim of the communication of 6 November was to take stock of the consultations resulting from the Green Paper and to set out factors for a new partnership with a view to replacing the current Overseas Association Decision which expires at the end of December 2013. The communication contains three central objectives tailored to the specific situation of the OCTs: (1) enhancing their competitiveness, by targeting a number of factors, such as education and vocational training, technical progress and innovation, information and communication technologies, macroeconomic stability, the rule of law, good governance (including good fiscal governance), a solid policy framework to support SMEs; (2) improving their resilience, their ability to respond to economic problems and environmental challenges, reduce their energy dependence and their extreme vulnerability to natural disasters; (3) promoting cooperation between the OCTs and other partners so that the OCTs become part of regional and global markets.
The OCTs are closely associated with the EU because of their special relations with Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. For historic reasons, this relationship was very much modelled on the relationship with the ACP countries. Using a classic development approach, the EU has focused on tackling poverty. But the economic situation in the OCTs has changed, a recent Commission paper says. The future relationship must take account of this new reality and should also better reflect the OCTs' specific status: micro-island economies are exceptionally vulnerable given their dependence on very few sectors, and there are considerable differences between the islands themselves. Equally, OCTs, as outposts of Europe all over the world, should be seen as assets for the EU and not as a burden.
Maurice Ponga, MEP for French Overseas Territories and a native of New Caledonia (an EU OCT), said that the publication of this communication was “an opportunity to develop and defend the interests of the OCTs”. He felt that the European Parliament should look closely at the communication to form a position on the issue. “MEPs, representing all European citizens, those from the continent and those from the islands, must make sure that the partnership between the EU and the OCTs is based on values of sharing and cooperation, bringing lasting, constructive relations,” he said. (G.B./transl.rt)