Brussels, 03/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has come up with recommendations to remedy the specific problems facing islands, after similar initiatives by the Parliament and the Committee of the Regions. The own-initiative opinion by José Maria Espuny Moyano was adopted by the EESC during its plenary session on 28-29 March. Highlighting the fact that island regions have common and specific characteristics and features that distinguish them from mainland regions, Espuny Moyano reiterates his call to the European Commission to review the definition of islands, which should be brought up to date to take into account the new realities of an enlarged EU, including island member states.
Other than the wording, however, there is a need to resolve “concrete disadvantages” by using an “appropriate strategy”. This should above all allow islands to be made more accessible, which requires better connection between them. The EESC therefore recommends that the cost of transporting freight and passengers should be reduced.
Although islands are a favourite holidaying place for European tourists, the reverse side of the coin is that islands have become too dependent on tourism for their survival. This is a problem, especially in times of crisis. Diversification towards activities that are complementary to tourism is needed, facilitating the economic development of islands in the face of crises such as the present one, which have a powerful impact on tourism. The own-initiative opinion also refers to social tourism, to be supported via the CALYPSO project, or to sustainable coastal and maritime development.
The agriculture, fisheries and livestock farming sectors also forge local economies and are an undeniable source of provision. They are fragile sectors, however, that find it difficult to measure up to international competition. Espuny Moyano would therefore like the common agricultural policy (CAP) to consider the islands as disadvantaged areas, in the same way as the mountainous areas. To put it succinctly, the amount of funding granted by the CAP should better reflect the insularity of islands.
In the same way, the rapporteur for the EESC considers that such regions should benefit from specific provisions within the new multiannual financial framework 2014-2020, mainly by increasing the rates of co-funding by the EU.
Furthermore, energy should appear in a strategy specific to the islands, in order to secure energy supply and the production of renewable energies. Education is another aspect, to be guaranteed despite the specific problems relating to insularity. Permanent training should be promoted, especially in the tourism sector, as the main economic activity of island regions. All these avenues are to be followed to make up for the disadvantages of island regions. (MD/transl.jl)