Brussels, 26/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - The Islands Commission General Assembly, the 6th geographic commission of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR), on Thursday 25 June, provided the occasion to welcome 32 new members to the Pact of Islands, taking total membership to 96.
The Pact of Islands, which was launched in 2011, puts the seal on the commitment of the signatory island authorities to tackling climate change and protecting the environment. The Pact, in line with the EUROPE 2020 strategy (20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, 20% renewables in the energy mix and 20% increase in energy efficiency), comprises 56 sustainable energy action plans. Over 50 projects are under consideration or have already been put into effect and seek to reduce total CO2 emissions by 30% by 2020.
Immigration and cohesion policy also fuelled the sometimes lively debate. The CPMR has launched a working group on this issue, led by Sicily, said Vasco Cordeiro, president of the CPMR and of the Azores. “A European approach on migration policy requires an integrated, multi-level pluralistic and efficient long-term model of governance”, he said. The CPMR is expected to submit a proposal next year. In May of this year, the CPMR launched a petition campaign, backed by European Parliament President Martin Schulz (S&D, Germany) (see EUROPE 11342).
The response was similar with regard to articulation of maritime and cohesion policies. The island elected representatives call for enhanced regionalism, subsidiarity and multi-level governance to honour the European project and boost the competitiveness and employment in these regions. They also call for the strict application of Articles 170 and 174 of the TFEU which relate to specific island-related circumstances regarding transport and geographical handicaps.
The event, jointly organised by the Socialist and Democrat (S&D) Group, took place at the European Parliament and brought together elected representatives from the island regions, MEPs and high-ranking officials of the European Institutions. The Islands Commission will meet next in Florence during the general assembly of the CPMR in November. (Pascal Hansens)