On Monday 26 January, in the margins of the General Affairs Council, France, Spain and Portugal formalised a coalition aimed at taking greater account of the interests of the outermost regions (ORs) while the European Commission is preparing a specific strategy for these territories for 2026 (see EUROPE 13755/18).
“The aim is to raise awareness among EU Member States and the Commission of the need to take specific account of these regions when drawing up and implementing European legislation”, said Benjamin Haddad, the French Minister Delegate for Europe.
Last November, the French authorities formulated some 30 measures to simplify the rules affecting the outermost regions in order to increase competitiveness, facilitate trade relations with the immediate environment and support the ecological transition in various sectors (agriculture, fisheries, customs, State aid, innovation, energy).
A key measure suggests the creation of a mechanism for adapting health and consumer protection rules and CE marking conditions to facilitate the movement of food and non-food products.
The Commission is also preparing an ‘omnibus’ initiative to simplify EU rules specifically for the outermost regions.
Mediterranean macro-region. On his arrival at the General Affairs Council, the Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union, Fernando Sampedro, called for adequate funding for the outermost regions in the future 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
Recalling that the European Council had approved the creation of the Atlantic macro-region at the end of 2025, he called for a similar initiative to set up a Mediterranean macro-region. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)