Regional Government widens influence by boosting group reactivation for insular regions
The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations stated Brussels that the Interregional Group for Insular Regions of the Committee of the Regions should be an "action group" instead of just playing an "information and influence-oriented role" with European countries.
Rui Bettencourt participated in the constitutive meeting aimed at the reactivation of this group. On the occasion, he stressed that "this activation was largely boosted by the Azores" and follows the concerns expressed by regional and local authorities on matters related to insularity and the development of the islands.
"I have had the opportunity to highlight the major challenges that islands specifically face in terms of transport, which is a key issue, but also in terms of islanders' access to health services, education services and social support," said the government official. According to him, the islands should also "focus on ensuring that islanders have the same rights as any continental European citizen."
Waste management and environmental concerns were other issues addressed by the Secretary for External Relations at the meeting held by this advisory body to European institutions. Additionally, the issue of energy was also under discussion, given the "small energy systems" of islands and their equally "small-sized economies," said Rui Bettencourt.
The Interregional Group for Insular Regions of the Committee of Regions is composed of various members such as the Azores, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Corsica, Sicily and Sardinia. It aims to address issues of common interest in order to cooperate and create development strategies in the areas of tourism and culture as well as in the industrial. agricultural, health, energy and educational sectors.
This group also contributes to the implementation of the decisions made by the Committee of the Regions and the European Parliament regarding the islands, being also responsible for the adoption of proactive measures and cooperation in migration matters pertaining to insular territories.