SEArica Conference on Islands & Cohesion Policy
SEArica Conference on Islands and Cohesion Policy
Organised with the support of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions
Thursday 28 April 14h00-16h00 Brussels time
Online conference with interpretation in English, French, Spanish and Italian
Please find the recording of the meeting: HERE
The COVID-19 crisis has had a severe impact on the islands of the European Union, whose economies were already vulnerable on account of their insularity and other permanent structural challenges. Characterised by a physical ‘disconnection’ from the mainland, islands are in fact dependent on maritime and air transport and their economic markets concentrate in the primary and tertiary sectors.
EU islands are also on the front line of climate change and are particularly exposed to natural disasters. The islands of the European Union, although legally recognised as disadvantaged territories, do not always benefit from the specific aid provided for in the Treaties.
The Committee on Regional Development of the EU Parliament (REGI) is preparing an INI report on EU islands and cohesion policy, calling for a better response to their demographic, economic and environmental challenges. After the vote within the REGI Committee and in view of the plenary debate (foreseen for June), this SEArica webinar will focus on the following key points:
- Characteristics and specificities of islands that generate additional costs
- State aid schemes and measures to reduce the development deficit
- The need to protect a unique biodiversity and to fight against climate change and natural disasters: islands as pioneer territories of the EU
- Possible creation of an Islands Pact, with a view to defining a common EU policy on island matters
Hosted by MEP François Alfonsi, SEArica Vice-Chair for Islands, the webinar will bring together the main supporters of the INI report within the EP and insular regions to provide insightful contributions and discuss the follow-up of the report. The Conference will be held online using ZOOM, interpretation will be provided in English, French, Spanish and Italian, and information on how to connect will be sent to registered participants.
Opened by Tonino Picula, SEArica Chair, with the participation of Younous Omarjee, REGI Chair, Josianne Cutajar, SEArica Vice-Chair for SMEs and Digitalisation, Stelios Kympouropoulos & Alicia Homs, SEArica Vice-Chair for Biodiversity and Ocean Literacy
Please find the recording of the meeting: HERE
Event Properties
| Event Date | 28-04-2022 14:00 |
| Event End Date | 28-04-2022 16:00 |
| Categories | Conférence 2019-2024,Islands |
| Attachment | SEArica_Agenda_Islands_and_Cohesion_280422.pdf |
What is an Intergroup?
The Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas Intergroup is one of the 27 Intergroups that were approved on 11 December 2019 by the Conference of Presidents for the 9th legislature of the European Parliament. Intergroups can be formed by MEPs from any political group and any parliamentary committee with a view to holding informal exchanges of views on particular issues and promoting contact between MEPs and civil society.
The Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas Intergroup brings together more than 100 MEPs from 7 different political groups and 23 Member States.
Intergroups are not Parliament bodies and therefore may not express Parliament's opinion.
Intergroups are subject to internal rules adopted by the Conference of Presidents on 16 December 1999 (last updated on 11 September 2014), which set out the conditions under which intergroups may be established at the beginning of each parliamentary term and their operating rules.
