WRITTEN QUESTION E-2312/01

by Pere Esteve (ELDR) to the Commission

(31 July 2001)

Subject: Non-remote island regions

The EU has more than 26 island regions with over 14 million inhabitants. Such regions cover 3.5 % of the surface area of the EU and are home to 3.5 % of the Union's population. These island regions experience various disadvantages related to the fact that they do not form part of mainland Europe.

Specifically, their problems can be summed up as follows:

1. the cost of transport, which results in higher prices and a loss of competitivity for island-based firms,

2. the implementation of the common agricultural policy, which is leading to the disappearance of the agricultural sector as a result of the ownership structure of the land and the fact that it is not possible to promote large areas of intensive farming, which results in declining profitability for agriculture in general and farmers in particular,

3. the lack of natural resources such as land, water, energy, etc.

The Commission and Parliament recently adopted new measures(1) for the outermost regions and islands to compensate for the specific disadvantages such areas face.

However, as the Commission has acknowledged, those island regions which are not among the most remote, such as the Balearic Islands, an Objective 2 area, receive no specific help to compensate for their island status, although, like other non-island European regions, they do receive funding under the usual Community funds, such as the ERDF, the ESF, the EAGGF, Leader+, etc.

Is the Commission aware that European island regions that are not among the most outlying are also at a disadvantage because of their island status? Does the Commission intend to adopt compensatory measures for these non-remote island regions?

If not, what steps can such island regions take to ensure that the regulations governing the Structural Funds take account of their specific disadvantages? Who is responsible for taking this political decision? Within whose remit does this matter fall?

(1) COM(2000) 774 OJ C 96 E, 27.3.2001.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(18 October 2001)

The Commission is aware of the problems of the island regions and would point out that 95 % of their population is eligible under either Objective 1 or Objective 2 of the Structural Funds. Moreover, as it stated in its reply to Written Question E-2303/01(1), the Commission has launched a study on their situation. This will include creation of a database on the island regions and an objective diagnosis of the situation, including comparative rating and an evaluation of the problems generated by their island nature and of their specific needs. The actions and the policies developed by the Member States and by the Union in order to offset any shortcomings in development caused by insularity will also be examined.

The first results of this study, which will last one year, are expected in the first half of 2002. The Commission hopes to launch a debate once these results are made public.

There can therefore be no doubt of the Commission's concern for islands, a problem which it intends to approach in the broader context of the areas with natural and geographical handicaps, such as mountain and depopulated areas. These areas with handicaps constitute one of six territorial priorities for the future of the cohesion policy, as included in the conclusions of the second report on economic and social cohesion.

To this end, the Commission intends to organise during the first half of 2002 seminars on each priority included in the second report, including the areas with handicaps. This will provide an occasion to determine which measures for these territories can add a high level of value and what is the most appropriate level (Community, national, regional) for their implementation.

This debate and the results of the above-mentioned study will be useful and necessary for the preparation of the third report on economic and social cohesion planned for the beginning of 2004.

(1) OJ C 81 E, 4.4.2002, p. 148.