At the Paphos high-level conference, Commissioner Costas Kadis and Irish Minister Jack Chambers emphasized unity and territorial-based policies to ensure Europe’s island and coastal communities are never left behind.

A New Chapter for European Islands

The importance of cooperation at all levels for strengthening island regions, stressed on Friday EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Ocean, Costas Kadis and Ireland’s Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers, at the concluding session of the High-Level Conference “Strengthening the Islands and Coastal Communities of the EU”, held in Paphos, under Cyprus’ EU Presidency.

“A key takeaway from this conference is the importance of cooperation at all levels. Good ideas do not belong to one island, one region or one state. They can inspire action elsewhere and help replicate success”, Commissioner Kadis said in his closing remarks.

He noted that, despite members states’ diversity in geography, economic structure and development paths, many of the challenges and opportunities they face are shared. Referring to the conference discussions, Kadis said that whether discussing connectivity, housing, energy, climate adaptation, competitiveness or demographic change, “the conclusion has been clear: policies are most effective when they reflect territorial realities”.

Joint Action and Local Empowerment

He added that discussion also reminded everyone that islands and coastal communities should not be viewed only through the lens of challenges. “They are places of innovation, entrepreneurship, cultural heritage, environmental and marine stewardship and strong local identity”, he said.

He also said that the two strategies presented earlier in the day, for islands and coastal communities, provide a framework for cooperation, creating opportunities for dialogue, mutual learning and coordinated action across all the levels of governance. “But no single institution can deliver these ambitions alone”, he said, noting that the Commission has an important role in facilitating cooperation, supporting implementation and ensuring that islands and coastal communities are better reflected across EU policies.

Member states are also equally essential, he said, noting that many of the policies and investments that matter most for these territories are implemented at national, regional and local levels. “Delivering results will require continued engagement, strong partnerships and a willingness to learn from one another”, he said, noting that the adoption of these strategies “marks not the end of the process, but the beginning of a new chapter”.

Ireland Vows to Champion Cohesion Policy

Ireland’s Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers, speaking on behalf of the forthcoming, Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU, said that, as one of only three European Union member states with significant island territory, his country “understands deeply” the opportunities and the challenges that define island life.

“We are therefore fully committed to advancing the shared European goal of strengthening island regions through the framework of the European Union's Cohesion Policy”, he said. He noted that Cohesion Policy at its core seeks to ensure that no region is left behind and that, “for island territories, this objective is particularly pertinent.”

For Ireland, he said, island and rural regions, geography should not be a disadvantage and that EU policy “must ensure equal access to jobs, services and connectivity so people can build a future at home.” This reflects the right-to-stay principle, he added, noting that people should have a genuine choice to remain in their communities rather than being forced to leave due to lack of opportunities or services.

Pioneering the Green and Digital Transition

He noted that Ireland, through sustained investment in infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare and education, sought to enable its offshore island communities to thrive. He noted however, that coordination and solidarity at a European level “are critical”. “Cohesion Policy provides a powerful vehicle through which we can address disparities and unlock opportunities”, he said, adding that the policy’s emphasis on place-based development is especially relevant for island territories.

For Ireland, he said, innovation was “essential for resilience and long-term sustainability”, and that, in this context, the Green and Digital Transitions offer unprecedented opportunities. He said that many of Europe's islands are already leading the way in the renewable energy generation, but that with the right support, island territories can become pioneers of bioneutrality.

Chambers noted that Ireland’s forthcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union “presents a timely opportunity to advance this agenda.” In closing, Chambers, shared the Irish proverb that “there is no strength without unity”, noting that this guides their vision for a stronger, more collaborative Europe. “‘It's something we've seen reflected in sitting in the Cyprus Presidency for the last six months and something we've ambitioned to drive forward for the next six months”, he said.

Source: CNA(ΚΥΠΕ)