Brussels, 12/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 6 July, the MEP Maurice Ponga (EPP, France), together with seven members of the Conference of the MEPs of the Extremely Remote Regions (ERR) to the European Parliament, was received by the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso. The aim of the meeting was to draw Barroso's attention to the role of the extremely remote regions in both external and internal policies of the EU. To illustrate the main challenges facing these regions over the years to come, the delegation presented President Barroso with an ambitious strategy for all of the ERRs of Europe, a “joint platform”, according to an EP press release.
During this meeting, President Barroso reiterated his support for the extremely remote regions and called upon the various services of the Commission to work in a coordinated and cross-cutting way on the problems faced by the ERRs, under the authority of Regional Policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn.
Among the main challenges are reform of the common agricultural policy and fisheries policy, as well as the recognition of the double geographical nature of the ERRs, particularly when concluding trade agreements with third states. In the view of Maurice Ponga, when such agreements are concluded, it is vital for impact studies to be carried out ahead of time, in order to be able to respond better to the consequences of these agreements for the socio-economic environments of the ERRs. The MEP states that “the promotion of endogenous economic development in the extremely remote regions and protecting jobs are the priorities”. (G.B./transl.fl)