Brussels, 06/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - European Regional Development Commissioner Corina Cretu attended the Conference of the Presidents of the EU's Outermost Regions (ORs) in Guadeloupe on Thursday 5 February.
The Commissioner wants to make sure that the €6.6 billion in structural funding for the 2014-2020 period will be absorbed as well as possible by the nine regions (Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, La Réunion, Saint-Martin, the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands). It is about ensuring that the European investment produces positive economic benefits for these geographically disadvantaged regions, for example, by taking advantage of better regional integration or renewable energy. The commissioner warned before the conference, however, that the funding would only have an impact on the ground if everyone is able to establish, select and implement projects that can make a difference.
The conference focused on the issues of accessibility, competitiveness, regional integration, enhancing the social dimension and climate change. Each region has its own action plan setting out a sustainable development strategy in line with its priorities and the best way to derive maximum benefit from European funding.
This was the first contact between Cretu and the ORs since she took office and with which she intends to work closely. The commissioner said that it was important that the Commission grants the ORs “the attention they deserve”. (MD)