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19th CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS
Of the Outermost Regions of the European Union
Saint-Denis de la Réunion, 17-18 October 2013.
FINAL DECLARATION
The conference of Presidents of OR
The 19th conference of Presidents of Outermost Regions, gathered in St Denis
in the Reunion Island on October 17 and 18, 2013, presided by Didier
ROBERT, President of the Region of The Reunion:
STATES its deep concern given the persisting economic and social crisis
which effects are increased tenfold in its regions.
ALERTS on worsening unemployment, especially of young people which calls
for urgent and appropriate responses to guarantee a balanced future of its
regions and improve economic, social end territorial cohesion.
EMPHASIZES that despite the EU’s attempts to improve this degraded
situation, efficient and operational answers, adapted to the outermost
regions are yet to be found.
REGRETS the delayed adoption of the multiannual financial framework for
the 2014-2020 period and European political reforms with a strong
territorial impact affecting regional ambitions towards smart, sustainable
and inclusive growth.
RECALLS the conclusions of the European Council of June 27 and 28, 2013
which invite beneficiary Member States to the Initiative for youth
employment "to adopt, before the end of this year a plan to combat
unemployment, inter alia by implementing the "youth guarantee".
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BELIEVES that the seriousness of the unemployment of young people,
particularly vulnerable in the outermost regions with rates above 50% and
therefore, amongst the highest in Europe, implies that the Governments of
Spain, France and Portugal previously define these measures in close
cooperation with their outermost regions.
EXHORTS the EIB to pay specific attention to the outermost regions, as it
contributes to the fight against unemployment of young people through its
« Jobs for the Youth » initiative and its programme « Invest in skills ».
INDICATES that the outermost regions have developed through a common
approach their plan of action, seizing the opportunity to respond positively to
the communication of June 2012 and with the intention of providing tailored
solutions to their realities and their own constraints.
EXPECTS concrete and prompt contributions of the Commission for the
implementation of their action plan fully consistent with the European
funding programmes.
Therefore, ASKS the European Commission to better welcome future
measures proposed in the regional operational programmes and thus to opt
in such case, for a less restrictive interpretation of the implementation of the
rules in coherence with the territorial priorities defined in the action plans of
the outermost regions
DENOUNCES the constant refusal of the European Commission in the
implementation of article 349 of the TFEU, which most recent illustration
concerns the regulatory package applicable to Mayotte;
CALLS on the European Commission to be guided by the legal interpretation
of the Council which considers article 349 of the TFEU constitutes the
"appropriate and sufficient" basis prevailing on any other basis to justify
specific measures for the outermost regions.
CHALLENGES the proposed orientation, at the European level, to use the
cohesion policy as an instrument of common law to finance most of the
needs of the outermost regions
Again INSISTS that the proposed regulations for the objective for European
territorial cooperation evolves to facilitate the conclusion of cooperation
projects with non-Member States of the Union and fully adapts to the
geographical environments of the OR, their socio-economic and cultural
realities and contributes to define relevant cooperation perimeters
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PROVIDES that the actions of cooperation be sustained between the
outermost regions by lifting the criterion of the two Member States.
RECALLS its common position of May 6, 2013 which aims at preserving the
spirit of the Agricultural POSEI framework and ensure the objectives
assigned to it, in particular in terms of accompaniment of all sectors.
CALLS for the end of the system of milk quotas to be offset to guarantee an
income to producers in the outermost regions, fundamental principle of the
CAP and ensure the necessary adaptation of the sector to a global and
liberalized market.
REMAINS deeply concerned by the ability of the reformed CFP to concretely
promote in their maritime basins "a balanced and supportive “territorial
development of areas dependent on fisheries”.
DEFENDS a definition and management of every aid at the most appropriate
level, i.e. at the regional level, particularly with regard to the compensation
plan, the additional costs, like the provisions laid down within the
framework of the Agricultural POSEI.
PETITIONS that aid to fleet (construction, renewal and upgrade) fit into this
scheme of governance and are authorized in line with the prospects of
development of the sector.
CALLS for the continuation of support to new fishing infrastructures by the
FEAMP.
RECALLS its requests for effective consistency in the revision of current
frames of State aid, all purposes of aid combined: research and innovation,
environment, transport, agriculture and fishing. Incentive and increased
rates of aid for investment must be provided for the proper fulfillment of the
priorities of Europe’s 2020 strategy.
REITERATES its constant position on the need to revise the framework for
State aid to maritime transport particularly to authorize public (funding)
support for links connecting outermost regions and other countries.
RECALLS that the outermost regions regional airports classification cannot
be limited to only flow of passengers or profitability issues.
RECALLS, the importance to extend in time the main fiscal devices of the
outermost regions such as the free zone of Madeira, the AIEM, the octroi de
mer, the reduced rate excise tax for rum, liqueurs and brandy. These
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instruments function
employment.
as
catalysts
to
improve
competitiveness
and
RECALLS that the interests of the economic sectors of the outermost regions
must be safeguarded in the negotiations of international trade agreements.
RECALLS that the mobility of the citizens of ORS helps to challenge the lack
of accessibility of these regions, yet regrets that no specific instrument is
dedicated to this issue.
MANIFESTS its concern if programs such as COSME, Horizon 2020 and the
programme for employment and social innovation remain generally
inaccessible for the outermost regions.
The 19th Conference of Presidents proudly welcomes the accession of
Mayotte to the Conference of the Presidents of the Outermost Regions and its
participation in its work from June 2013.
ALERTS that in setting for Mayotte a lump funding, out of any criteria, in the
conclusions of the European Council of February 7 and 8, 2013, a worrying
precedent is being created.
CONSIDERS that taking into account the issues and substantial needs for
this new outermost Region in terms of economic development and the
development of basic infrastructure, the level of support will not allow it to
achieve the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy.
REMAINS attentive to the holding of the 3rd edition of the forum of the
outermost regions in 2014, according to a favorable schedule for an interim
assessment for the implementation of the action plans of the outermost
regions.
The 19th Conference of Presidents of Outermost Regions, during its
partnership session of October 18, 2013 greets and thanks:
The European Commissioner in charge of regional policy and the Outermost
Regions for the importance he attaches to the partnership with the
outermost regions;
Thank the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU for the testimony
of its interest for the outermost regions and wishes that it will protect the
specificities of the OR within Europe now extended to 28 Member States.
Welcomes the participation of the French Minister of overseas as well as the
Director-general of European Affairs, the representative of the Spanish and
Portuguese Governments and prides itself in the solidarity between the three
States and the renewed support in favor of the interest of the Outermost
Regions;
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The presence of Euro deputies who constantly defend the realities within the
OR in the European decision making process;
The representative of the European Economic and Social Committee and the
Committee of Region for their support especially through their respective
recommendation;
Agrees that Guadeloupe will ensure the next annual Presidency of the
Conference and mandates to that effect the Monitoring Committee to:
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Monitor the implementation of the action Plans of the Outermost
Regions in close collaboration with the European Commission
and the Member States;
Accompany Mayotte in the implementation of its new status as
Outermost Region;
Encourage a dynamic of functional cooperation between the
Outermost Regions in the context of European territorial
cooperation programmes.
Develop technical tools to improve the performance and the
visibility of the Conference;
CHALLENGES the tendency to use the Cohesion policy as an instrument of
common law to finance almost all of the needs of the outermost regions.
Mandates the President of the Region of La Reunion to address this
Declaration to the addressees, in accordance with the Memorandum of
Cooperation between the Outermost Regions of the European Union.
Signed in Saint-Denis de La Réunion, on 17 October 2013.
Vasco Cordeiro
Président du Gouvernement
Régional des Açores
Alberto Joao Jardim
Président du Gouvernement
Régional de Madère
Paulino Rivero Baute
Président du Gouvernement
des iles Canaries
Josette Borel-Lincertin
Présidente du Conseil
Régional de Guadeloupe
Serge Letchimy
Président du Conseil Régional
de Martinique
Didier Robert
Président du Conseil Régional
de La Réunion
Daniel Zaïdani
Président du Conseil Général de Mayotte
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Rodolphe Alexandre
Président du Conseil Régional
de la Guyane
Aline Hanson
Présidente du Conseil
Territorial de Saint-Martin
ADDENDA
TO THE MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE OUTMOST
REGIONS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
The Presidents of the outmost regions gathered in Saint-Denis de La
Réunion on 17 and 18 October 2013,
CONSIDERING that, following the request made by France on October 26,
20911 in accordance with article 355 of the Treaty of Lisbon, the European
Council has adopted the decision by which Mayotte will become a new OR
according to article 349 of the Treaty of Lisbon as of January 2014.
CONSIDERING that the President of the General Council of Mayotte has
expressed, by official letter dated May 13, 2013, its wish to adhere to the
Conference of Presidents and fully participate to ongoing collaboration
between these regions, in accordance with the provisions relative to the
Memorandum of cooperation signed among the outmost regions of the
European Union on November 4th, 2011.
CONSIDERING the mutual interest in formalizing this joining by adapting
the cooperation instruments between the regions.
DECIDE of the amending of Memorandum of Cooperation between the
outermost regions of the European Union presently in force, incorporating
therein the necessary amendments necessary to the adhering of the
Community of Mayotte as of January 01, 2014.
Vasco Cordeiro
Président du Gouvernement
Régional des Açores
Alberto Joao Jardim
Président du Gouvernement
Régional de Madère
Paulino Rivero Baute
Président du Gouvernement
des iles Canaries
Josette Borel-Lincertin
Présidente du Conseil
Régional de Guadeloupe
Serge Letchimy
Président du Conseil Régional
de Martinique
Didier Robert
Président du Conseil Régional
de La Réunion
Daniel Zaïdani
Président du Conseil Général de Mayotte
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Rodolphe Alexandre
Président du Conseil Régional
de la Guyane
Aline Hanson
Présidente du Conseil
Territorial de Saint-Martin