Strasbourg, 18/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament is concerned about the role of outermost regions (OR) in EU policies. Ahead of the new EU budget being set, which is likely to make cuts in EU funding for the OR, MEPs are calling on the European Commission to treat these regions differently, in line with their particular characteristics.
In plenary on Wednesday 18 April, the MEPs adopted a report by Nuno Teixeira (EPP, Portugal) on the role of cohesion policy in the OR in the EUROPE 2020 strategy by 565 to 74 with 21 abstentions. The rapporteur commented: “It is always important to remember that these regions, due to their specificities, deserve particular attention in the EU. Therefore, I hope that the European Commission will take into account in its communication, scheduled to be published at the end of May, the measures included in this report.”
Cohesion policy. MEPs have taken up arms because they realise that the additional grant for the OR from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the 2014-2020 programming period might be cut quite drastically. They want EU aid to remain the same as in the current financial framework. Other areas of the cohesion policy risk a 5.1% cut in the new financial framework at 2011 prices, explains the European Parliament in alarm. The MEPs want the idea of per inhabitant GDP to be scrapped as the eligibility criterion for receipt of EU structural funds and want the OR to be automatically viewed as less developed regions. Thus the MEPs want all the OR to receive 85% EU co-funding for all EU aid.
Taking account of the OR in all EU policies across the board. A fair number of EU policies should be better adapted to the needs of the OR. In fisheries and maritime policy, the OR's marine resources, for example, should be properly and sustainably managed. The EU's transport system should make the OR more accessible, rather than simply ignoring them. The MEPs say that European aid for public transport and ferries between islands would be welcome. Teixieira says the European interconnection mechanism and European transport networks should make explicit reference to the OR. In addition, European policies should encourage good use of fuel and energy resources and back the development of renewable energy, which would also tackle climate change. The Greens are unhappy that the report does not go far enough and regret the way other MEPs did not want to add the Greens' environmental measures. The Greens suggested, for example, including a climate change criterion for every project funded by the cohesion policy, but this came to nothing, said Catherine Grèze (Greens/EFA, France).
Patrick Tirolien (S&D, France) said that the region of Mayotte would soon be considered an OR and it should therefore receive special treatment. (MD/transl.fl)