the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands - share specific characteristics defined in Art. 349
of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Mayotte will become an
Outermost Region of the European Union (EU) on 1 January 2014.
These regions constitute a unique situation and form a group at the heart of the EU, distinct
from other European regions. They are essentially characterised by:
• Being geographically located far from the European continent, aggravated by the fact
that they are islands, sometimes even being doubly insular or in a situation of being an
enclave. Isolated in their respective geographical areas and far removed from the main
commercial trade lines, the ORs find it impossible to take full advantage of the
European Union market;
• A limited local market and therefore economic dependence on a limited number of
products;
• Difficult topographical and climate conditions, limited size, vulnerability to climate
change and extreme weather phenomena;
• Close neighbours consisting exclusively of third countries which are not members of
the EU or a totally isolated space, two strategic challenges in terms of insertion and
cooperation.
The combination and persistence of these characteristics together result in structural
constraints which seriously prejudice the economic, social and territorial development of these
Regions. These facts justify special and differentiated treatment.
While Europe recognises the singular situation of ORs in its legislation, based on their status as
outermost regions, in reality the implementation of this legislation still needs to be improved.
Therefore, the Conference of the Presidents of the Outermost Regions has striven to ensure
renewed political commitment by European Institutions with regard to ORs.
* *
*
The Communication from the Commission of 20 June 2012 entitled "The outermost regions of
the European Union: towards a partnership for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth"
updates the development strategy for ORs along five axes (accessibility, competitiveness,
regional integration, the social dimension and climate change action) in order to achieve the
priorities of the Europe 2020 Strategy and promote smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.1
It would also be indispensable for the Communication to ‘assess the effects of European