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EU’s Policy towards the Outermost Regions

This article provides an overview of the European Union's policy towards the outermost regions (OR) including their unique characteristics, specific measures, and the evolution of the EU strategy towards these regions. It discusses the challenges faced by the OR and the measures taken to address them.

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EU’s Policy towards the Outermost Regions

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  1. EU’s Policy towards the Outermost Regions

  2. The Outermost Regions of the EU • 4 French overseas departments: Martinique, Guadeloupe, Réunion and Guyane • 2 French overseas collectivities (since TFEU came into force): St Martin et St Barthélemy • 1 Spanish autonomous community : Canarias • 2 Portuguese autonomous regions : Açores and Madeira

  3. The Outermost regions (OR) at a glance • Total population 3,9 million  0,85% of EU’s total population • Total surface 99.875 km²  2,5% of EU’s total surface • Distance from capital: 2.000 km (Canarias) to 9.400 km (Réunion) • Convergence Objective: Réunion, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyane and Açores • Competitiveness & Employment Objective: Canarias and Madeira

  4. Elaboration of a development strategy for the OR Specific OR handicaps Article 349 TFEU * Remoteness * Insularity & Small size (excp Guyane) * Difficult relief and climate * Economic dependency on a small number of products Persistence and combination of the handicaps Specific Measures Customs, Trade, Fiscal, Competition, Agriculture, Fishing and Maritime Policies Coherence of EU Law Special legislative procedure

  5. OR and OCTOutermost regions and Overseas Countries and territories • OR ≠ OCT • OR: european regions → application of Treaty provisions (Art. 349 and 355.1 TFEU) • OCT: associated territories → application of a special association regime

  6. Passerelle Clause • Article 355.6 TFEU called “passerelle clause” «The European Council may, on the initiative of the Member State concerned, adopt a decision amending the status, with regard to the Union, of a Danish, French or Netherlands country or territory referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2. The European Council shall act unanimously after consulting the Commission » • Process of « Ptomisation » for St. Barthelemy (2012) • Process of « Rupéisation » for Mayotte (2014) • DG REGIO (OR unit) is the service in charge of the coordination and monitoring of the technical and political processes

  7. Evolution of the european strategy towards the OR • 2004: definition of a global and coherent approach for the OR according to 3 strategic axes:  Reduction of the accessibility deficit and other constraints Reinforcement of their competitivity  Improve regional integration within their geographical zone (Action Plan for the Great Neighbourhood)

  8. Evolution of the European Strategy towards the OR • 2007: « Evolution and outcome of the strategy towards the OR » • Balance sheet of the strategy application since 2004 • Short term measures to take advantage of the existing instruments • Public consultation on four long term issues: • → Climate change • → Demographic evolution • → Agriculture • → Maritime Policy

  9. Evolution of the european strategy towards the OR 2008: « The OR : an asset for Europe » …a change of paradigme Unique geographic position Renewable energies Biodiversity Study laboratories for climate change effects Niche products in agriculture

  10. Where are we today? 2009-2010: Joint Memorandum OR-MS « A renewed vision of the european strategy towards outermost regions - The OR in 2020 » May 2010: 1st Forum on Outermost Europe 2011: Financialperspectives in June; proposals for new regulations in October; negociations 2012: New proposals on post-2013 OR strategy 10

  11. Development of the strategy through specific measures adopted in favor of the OR (non-exhaustive list) Cohesion Policy: • Additional specific allocation as a compensation of the additional costs in the ERDF Frame (35€/inhabitant) • Intervention rate majorated to 85% independently of the « convergence » or « regional competitivity and employment » eligibility criteria Agriculture: • POSEI (System to support local production, including bananas, and food supply) Fisheries: • Intervention rate of the EFF majorated for the OR • Special exemption of the framing measures of the European fleet (arrival of new capacities) • POSEI « fisheries » (compensation regime of the additional costs under EAGGF – guarantees) 11

  12. Development of the strategy through specific measures adopted in favor of the OR Competition: • State aids with a regional aim : functioning aids neither digressive nor limited in time, majorated investment aids rates (Art. 107 TFUE) Tax system and customs : • Octroi de mer/dock dues (French DOM), AIEM (Arbitrio sobre Importaciones y Entregas de Mercancías – Canary Islands): indirect tax with a possibility of changing rate between local and imported products • Limited Excise Tax for traditional rhum (French DOM) and for rhum, liquors and eaux-de-vie (made and consumed in Açores and Madeira) • Temporary suspension of the autonomous rights of the Common Customs Tariff (importation of some industrial products in Canarias, Madeira and Açores) Trade Policies: • The « safety clause » for the OR (bilateral agreements, EPA and generalized tariff preferences) Research : • « Research Potential » initiative: specifically dedicated to convergence regions and the OR

  13. Instruments of the implementation of the OR policy • OR unit/OR Inter-service Group (GIS RUP) • Inter-service consultations (Commission) • Communications of the Commission on the OR • Legislative proposals and other acts • Partnership with/between EU institutions, Member States and the OR • Annual conferences of the OR Presidents • OR Monitoring Committee • Bi-annual Forum of Outermost Europe • Thematic seminars and conferences

  14. Conclusions • Necessity for the Outermost Regions to prepare for confronting new challenges • New strategy to bring diversity, innovation and modernisation to their economies • ORs’ specific characteristics should continue to be taken into account • Adaptation to the OR needs is a concept embeded in the Treaty NOT a “favour” made to them

  15. More information on the DG REGIO’s website http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/themes/rup_fr.htm

  16. Thank you for your attention… 16

  17. It’s time for your questions and a few pictures !

  18. Açores Capelinhos Lighthouse Winner Photo RegioStars Award 2011. 18

  19. Madeira Porto Santo, golden sand beach 19

  20. Canary Islands Izaña Atmospheric Observatory, Tenerife 20

  21. Martinique Tourist area 21

  22. Guadeloupe HQE building (High Quality Environmental standard) 22

  23. Guyane Ariane 5 launches from Europe's Spaceport

  24. La Reunion Volcan Piton de la Fournaise 24

  25. Saint-Martin Indigenous birds

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