The Azorean Government welcomed the approval of the Communication: "The Outermost regions of the European Union: towards a Partnership for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth" by the by the European Commission on Wednesday.

This communication will provide a framework for EU action in the coming years and include the strategy for the ORs in the assumptions and goals of Europe 2020, striving for the full integration of these regions in the Internal Market. In this context, the Conference of Outermost Regions (ORs), under the Azorean Presidency, worked actively in the preparation of the communication by submitting joint contributions and positions to the EU Commission.

The Regional Under Secretary for European Affairs said that "in a first reading of the document - which was approved by the College of Commissioners in Brussels on Wednesday morning - we find relevant issues that represent an important development in several areas, including the partnership with ORs in the future framework 2014-2020 and Europe 2020 Strategy.”

"We can notice the openness to some topics listed in the memorandum on Portugal, France and Spain and the ORs in 2010 as well as special attention given to the transport and energy sectors, although the Commission was not as ambitious as we intended," said Rodrigo Oliveira. The government official added that the Azorean Government "regrets that the creation of a specific funding programme for energy and transport, similar to POSEI, was not included. Nevertheless, the Government was pleased with the Commission's intention to analyse, together with ORs and their Member-States, the uses of cohesion policy funds in these areas in order to meet the specific needs and capacities of ORs."
 
"Besides, those who have the responsibility to deal with the daily affairs of the European Union are well aware that all advances are the result of a continuous work as well as of the joint and coordinated actions between Outermost Regions, Member-States and European institutions." The Regional Under Secretary for European Affairs and External Cooperation mentioned "the work that has been carried out by Regions under the next European framework since 2009 and the memorandum "The ORs in Horizon 2020."

According to the Regional Government, "the possibility of expanding the territorial cooperation space of the Outermost Regions, particularly cross-border cooperation," is another important aspect focused by the document. In this context, "the Commission intends to promote cooperation with territories located at a maritime distance over 150 km." The document also makes an explicit reference to the relations of the ORs with third countries like Brazil and those with which they have historical and cultural ties."

The communication: "The Outermost Regions of the European Union: Towards a Partnership for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth" combines the action of the European Union regarding the ORs and revolves around five main axes; three of which (accessibility, competitiveness and regional integration) were already mentioned in the previous communication, but were highlighted again for their relevance. In turn, the two new axes (social dimension and climate change) were included as a result of the integration of Community action in the global goals of the Europe 2020 Strategy.

Hence, Rodrigo Oliveira stated that "the Regional Government considers that this Strategy defines an agenda as well as important guidelines for all political and socials actors in Regions, Member-States and EU Institutions. It also calls for a commitment at all decision-making levels in order to improve the framework for Community actions under the global goals of the Europe 2020 Strategy, particularly the need for the creation of sustainable jobs.
Hence, the Communication is another milestone and a tool that recognises the specificities of the ORs, the need for special attention and specific actions. On the other hand, the document highlights and reiterates the assets of these regions, with special emphasis on diversification and modernisation of their economies and traditional sectors such as agriculture and fisheries and the potentialities for the creation of new products and scientific research in the fields of marine ecosystems, biodiversity, climate, space, astrophysics and renewable energy."

The communication: "The Outermost Regions of the European Union: Towards a Partnership for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth" is, thus, "a positive document that will now be thoroughly analysed. Furthermore, it will be widely discussed in Brussels on July 2 and 3 at the Forum on Outermost Regions, a debate in which the Azores will take, once again, active part," concluded the Regional Under Secretary for European Affairs and External Cooperation.