The Regional Under Secretary for European Affairs and External Cooperation said today in Bialystok, Poland, that "the structural conditions and legal status of Outermost Regions are not comparable to the situation of other European regions. The situation of Outermost Regions cannot be ignored and their treatment cannot be harmed by the aspirations of other territories, such as other islands, mountain areas or sparsely populated areas."

Rodrigo Oliveira took part in the discussions on the European financial framework 2014-2020 in the context of the meeting of the Commission that was held today under the 40th General Assembly of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR).

"When we reach a decisive phase of the discussions on the financial perspectives for 2014-2020, the CPMR must take a strong political stance in defending the interests of its members; i.e. of all 160 European peripheral and maritime regions," added the Regional Under Secretary. The government official participated in the meeting on behalf of the President of the Government.

Rodrigo Oliveira proposed that the final declaration of the 40th General Assembly of CPMR should explicitly include the measures that might reduce the "specific allocation for ORs. The amounts proposed by the Commission have already been reduced by 50%."

"Therefore, the CPMR should also take its position against the reduction of the special allocation under ERDF to ORs and defend the maintenance of the amounts stipulated in the financial framework 2007-2013," defended Rodrigo Oliveira. His proposal was approved and will be integrated in the Island Commission's position for the Final Declaration of the 40th General Assembly of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions.