The European Union must translate its renewed strategic ambition for the outermost regions into concrete measures that reflect their unique geographical, economic and social realities, Celia Alberto Pérez (ES/EPP), Director-General for European Affairs of the Government of the Canary Islands, stressed during an exchange of views on the European Commission’s new Outermost Regions Package.
Speaking as EPP shadow rapporteur on the European Committee of the Regions’ opinion, Alberto Pérez welcomed the Commission’s more ambitious approach and its recognition of the EU’s nine outermost regions as strategic assets for Europe’s geopolitical autonomy, security and global presence. She also welcomed the commitment to a more systematic application of Article 349 TFEU, which provides the legal basis for adapting EU policies to the specific circumstances of the outermost regions.
The Commission presented its new strategy and accompanying legislative proposals on 10 September. Drawing on the experience of the Canary Islands, Alberto Pérez highlighted connectivity, migration management and an energy transition adapted to local circumstances as key priorities. She nevertheless cautioned that much of the new strategy still needs to be translated into operational measures, particularly on cohesion and agricultural support through the POSEI programme.
“The European Union wants its outermost regions to play a key role in its geostrategy because of our unique geographical position, but European policies must also be adapted to this very different and distant reality. Our regions need tailor-made solutions that respond to the specific challenges we face,” said Celia Alberto Pérez.
The Commission itself recognises that the EU's nine outermost regions, including the Canary Islands, face permanent constraints linked to factors such as remoteness and insularity and that EU legislation designed primarily for continental Europe can impose disproportionate burdens on them.
Looking ahead to negotiations on the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, Alberto Pérez called for the objectives of the Outermost Regions Strategy to be backed by concrete provisions, including dedicated chapters for the outermost regions in the National and Regional Partnership Plans, protection of POSEI and appropriate adaptations of EU sectoral policies.
She also welcomed the fact that, for the first time in the development of the EU’s strategy for the outermost regions, the strategy is accompanied by legislative proposals, while stressing that the process should remain open to further adaptations in areas such as the EU Emissions Trading System, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, agriculture, migration and affordable housing.
The exchange of views in Cáceres marked the beginning of the Committee of the Regions’ work on its opinion on the new Outermost Regions Package.