A ten-member EP delegation met with national, regional and local authorities in Corfu to discuss regional development priorities and investment policies.
From 15 to 17 September, a delegation from the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) visited Corfu, the seat of the Ionian Islands Region, where it met with national, local and regional authorities and visited a number of projects financed by European funds. The aim of the MEPs was to assess the implementation of EU cohesion policy funding, with a particular focus on island regions, with the mission of ultimately providing the delegation with valuable information on the unique characteristics and challenges they face.
The delegation, chaired by Marcos ROS SEMPERE (Socialist, Spain), will meet with the Regional Governor of the Ionian Islands, Ioannis Trepeklis, the Mayor of Central Corfu, Stefanos Poulimenos, mayors from other islands in the region, the Deputy Minister for Maritime and Island Policy, Stefanos Ghikas, officials from the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy and the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, and managers of the Ionian Islands regional development programme.
MEPs visited projects funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the LEADER initiative, including the restoration and conservation of historic sites and an innovative olive oil production facility. They also discussed the current needs and challenges of island regions, in meetings with INSULEUR – the Network of Island Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Network of Greek Small Islands.
Head of delegation Mr Ros Sempere said after the delegation’s work: “We had an extremely productive mission to the Ionian Islands. Our delegation had the opportunity to see first-hand the support for local development from EU cohesion policy and to identify the specific needs and challenges faced by island regions.
The Ionian Islands have demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainable development, environmental protection and cultural preservation. However, the region also faces clear challenges that need to be better addressed in the future – including affordable and sustainable housing, waste and sewage management and water scarcity.
Our visit also confirms the strong commitment of the European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development to leaving no region behind – and that insularity is not seen as a disadvantage, but as a strategic dimension deserving targeted and effective support from the European Union.”
Concluding, Mr Ros Sempere expressed “the REGI Committee’s full commitment to work in the coming months to reach an agreement on a robust European budget, as well as on adequate multilevel governance of cohesion policy funds for the next multiannual financial framework, 2028-34.”
In addition to the head of the delegation, the following MEPs participated in the mission…
Elena NEVADO DEL CAMPO (EPP, Spain)
Şerban Dimitrie STURDZA (Conservatives, Romania)
Gordan BOSANAC (Greens, Croatia)
Krzysztof HETMAN (EPP, Poland)
Sérgio GONÇALVES (Socialists, Portugal)
Dan BARNA (Renew, Romania)
Julien LEONARDELLI (Patriots for Europe, France)
Frentis BELERIS (EPP, Greece)
Sakis ARNAOUTOGLOU (Socialists, Greece)
