Speech by the President of the Government - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

Full text of the speech delivered today in Brussels by the President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, at the conference "Putting Outermost Regions (ORs) at the heart of the European decision-making process":

“Dear Gérard Bally, it is a pleasure to be here today at this EURODOM initiative to talk about the Outermost Regions and Europe. Indeed, it is an acknowledgement of our participation in this common project that is the European Union.

At this difficult time for Europe, with challenges that until recently seemed unfathomable, we must encourage critical reflection on the best way to achieve our goals, as set out in the treaties.

This event is a relevant contribution to this reflection.

Honourable Members of the European Parliament, the European Commission and the national governments, here with us today.

Honourable Presidents of the Outermost Regions, dear colleagues,

It is with a sense of responsibility and commitment that I participate in this panel dedicated to the future of the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, at a time when the Outermost Regions are facing a decisive crossroads for their development and the cohesion of the European project.

Beyond their geographical position, the Outermost Regions are an asset to the European Union. This was acknowledged at the last General Affairs Council meeting held on October 21 by Portugal's Secretary of State for European Affairs, who stated the following: "The Outermost Regions are a crucial strategic asset for the entire EU."

They represent geopolitical presence, global projection and maritime dimension, contributing to biodiversity and leadership in the fight against climate change.

These are territories that, despite their structural vulnerabilities — isolation, remoteness, small size and dependence on a few productive sectors — strive to transform challenges into opportunities, making a daily contribution to Europe's resilience, autonomy and security.

Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union enshrines the obligation to implement differentiated policies tailored to the specific characteristics of the Outermost Regions.

This principle has been the basis for more than three decades of European policies that have enabled tangible progress in the economic and social development of these regions.

Therefore, there is no reason to back down on this commitment, which is legal, political and moral.

The current proposal for the post-2027 MFF represents a worrying step backwards.

In merging historical policies into a single fund — the so-called National and Regional Partnership Plans — the differentiation that has always marked the European approach to the ORs is lost.

This budget centralisation dilutes territorial priorities, weakens regional autonomy and compromises the effectiveness of the cohesion policy.

Furthermore, the absence of protected financial allocations for the Outermost Regions threatens the progress achieved in economic and social convergence, jeopardising food self-sufficiency, social stability and the sustainable development of our regions.

Here are a few examples from different sectors, which must be addressed in a sincere, transparent and productive dialogue with the European Commission in the search for solutions for our full integration into the EU single market.

Article 349 TFEU is precisely about this. It is about the European Union institutions creating the conditions for the outermost regions to be allowed to participate in the EU internal market on the same terms as any other EU region, without being at a disadvantage due to the characteristics defining the concept of remoteness. 

I was saying, then, that in terms of agriculture, the possible elimination of POSEI and support for the structuring of production chains would be disastrous for the Azores, which are heavily dependent on imports.

POSEI is an irreplaceable instrument. It is fundamental to food self-sufficiency, economic diversification and social balance. As such, it must be maintained and strengthened in the next Multiannual Financial Framework.

In terms of fisheries and aquaculture, the integration of these sectors into multisectoral funds diminishes their strategic importance.

It is essential to ensure an autonomous and predictable financial framework, with mechanisms to offset additional costs and the creation of a POSEI-Fisheries programme tailored to the realities of the outermost regions.

As regards mobility infrastructures, which are a valuable tool for territorial cohesion on the islands, the reduction in co-financing rates and the lack of specific funding for transport and mobility represent a step backwards.

I insist that it is essential, fair and urgent to create a POSEI-Transport programme, apart from the cohesion policy, to ensure accessibility, territorial continuity and infrastructure modernisation, while safeguarding the eligibility of its maintenance costs, which compromise our full participation in the single market.

Regarding energy and the environment, the MFF should recognise the specific characteristics of archipelagos, promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency and self-sufficiency. 

The Azores, with nine isolated micro-grids and great potential for clean energy, should be considered a priority for innovation and research, benefiting from increased co-financing and specific calls under the Connecting Europe Facility, i.e. creating the conditions for the participation of the Outermost Regions in this programme. 

All of this is aligned with the Final Declaration of the Conference of Presidents of the Outermost Regions, held in April.

Environmental sustainability must remain at the heart of European action, with the LIFE programme being strengthened as an autonomous mechanism.

Dear colleagues,

The European Commission's proposal disregards the specific characteristics of the Outermost Regions. This not only contradicts the spirit of Article 349 TFEU, but also jeopardises the territorial cohesion, food security and social stability of these regions. The risk is twofold: budget cuts and the exacerbation of permanent structural disadvantages.

Now is the time to clarify with the European Commission, in close dialogue with the European Parliament and our national governments, whether the commitment made by the European Commission in its Work Programme for 2026 [adopted on October 21] to present a revision of the European Union's strategy for the Outermost Regions during the first quarter of 2026 will be implemented.

In the coming weeks, we expect to receive concrete answers from the Commission.

We expect to obtain a guarantee that Article 349 TFEU and the principle of differentiation in favour of the Outermost Region will be respected.

We are counting on ambitious European policies with dedicated and reinforced budgets.

We call for the fair and automatic application of the status of less developed regions to all Outermost Regions and increased co-financing rates, in view of their structural limitations as enshrined in Article 349 TFEU.

We call for the creation of specific sections for each Outermost Region in national plans, with the full participation of the regions in the definition and implementation of policies.

We insist on the reintroduction of the agricultural POSEI and the creation of a specific POSEI-Fisheries, as well as an innovative POSEI-Transport.

We also call for the continuation of specific measures to boost territorial and international cooperation, particularly within the scope of INTERREG.

I would like to end my speech by mentioning the proposal for a European Competitiveness Fund, considering it essential that mechanisms be put in place to enable us to effectively participate in the process of strengthening European competitiveness.

A Multiannual Financial Framework that fully acknowledges the specific characteristics of the Outermost Regions is not only a condition for the prosperity and cohesion of these regions, but also a pillar of resilience and competitiveness for the entire European Union. The Outermost Regions demand that the commitments made be fulfilled and that the principle of territorial cohesion and Article 349 TFEU be respected.

We are against the Commission's proposal. Under its terms, it does not fulfil its obligations to the Outermost Regions. I will inform the President of the European Council, Dr António Costa, about our position in a letter I will send him after this statement."