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Slide 2 Unit Preview I. The EUs outermost regions and overseas territories II. Development of OR and OSCTs of the EU III. Case Study - Martinique: outermost region of the EU Slide 3 I. Outermost Regions and Overseas Territories of the EU Slide 4 Outermost regions based on the following 5 characteristics: integration into a double geo-economic space constituted, on the one hand, by a proximate geographical zone, and on the other, by a political space of belonging; relative isolation, resulting from the its distance from the European continent, reinforced by insularity or enclave status; limited extent of local domestic market, linked to the size of the population; geographical and climatic conditions limiting endogenous development of primary and secondary industries (lack of natural resources, characteristics of an archipelago, active volcanic areas etc); economic dependence on a small number of, or even a single, product. Slide 5 8 ultra-peripheral or outermost regions in the EU 5 French overseas departments (Runion, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Saint-Martin and Martinique), 2 Portuguese autonomous regions (Azores and Madeira) 1 Spanish autonomous community (Canary Islands). Slide 6 Canary Islands Guadeloupe The Reunion Slide 7 French Guiana: the only non-island Slide 8 AcoresCanary Islands Guadelo upe GuianaMaderaMartiniq ue The Reunion Saint Martin Mayotte* Capital Ponta Delgada Las Palmas Pointe-- Pitre CayenneFunchalFort-de- France St DenisMarigotMamoudz ou Surface area 232274471628838468281128250453374 Populatio n 244206240423224740083337215 Density 1052772482.7308356326693578 GDP 2006 67947150957662 23 Unemploy ment 2008 5.517.422.720.7621.324.53017.6 EU Funds 2007-2013 169819417454847816221864-- *OR status in 2014 EU Outermost Regions Slide 9 Outline of the cohesion policy 2014-2020 proposals. The new legislative package takes account of the special circumstances of ultra-peripheral regions - the specific allocation to compensate for additional costs due to their insularity is to be maintained; - ultra-peripheral regions will continue to benefit from Community co-financing of up to 85%; - they will also receive a larger envelope of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for territorial cooperation (up from EUR 150 million to 275 million). The European Commission is in the process of planning a new strategy for the ultra-peripheral regions, to be adopted in 2012, which will make the most of their numerous advantages. 8 (now 9) Jewels in the EUs Crown Slide 10 EU Territorial cohesion: towards a more balanced development Areas with specific geographical features Mountainous areas, coastal and maritime regions, islands and archipelagos form an important part of the Union and are even more significant in some Member States. Most of the ultra-peripheral regions are islands. These, however, do not form a distinct geo-morphological area as such, but are treated as a group of 7 regions listed in the Treaty and recognised as having a number of inherent disadvantages, particularly because of the problem of accessibility caused by their remoteness from other parts of the Union. Source: www.europa.eu Slide 11 Islands Islands are particularly important in the four Southern Member States, three of which are cohesion countries, though there is also a large number of islands in France, the UK and the three Nordic countries, many of them eligible for Structural Funds support. Indeed, nearly 95% of the population of EU island regions is eligible for such support. In the case of the smaller islands, accessibility is the main problem which makes it difficult to maintain economic activities which are competitive and a young work force with a high level of education. Accessibility is an even greater problem for ultra-peripheral regions. The largest islands are much better integrated into the rest of the EU economy, even if many are at present reliant on structural support to catch up with other parts of the Union. The areas identified above have marked differences in terms of their economic and social characteristics. Regional policies for furthering their development should continue to be aimed at strengthening relations between different parts of the Union rather than take the form of isolated measures specific to individual types of areas. Nevertheless, such policies should include cooperation programmes between areas of the same type, which are tailored to their particular geographical features and which can bring additional benefit. Slide 12 II. Development of EU ORs and OSCTs EU Commissioner visit to Guianas Space Center Slide 13 EU funds and Regional Cooperation The Reunion is involved in several territorial cooperation and development programs with nearby states in the Indian Ocean: Mauritius Islands, Seychelles, Madagascar, And further afield: India, Australia Programs concern the environment, risk prevention (tsunamis), fishing, tourism and scientific research Slide 14 Structural handicaps in Common Geographic remoteness major handicap Geographic discontinuity brings extra costs Small size of insular islands (exception Guyana) Located in tropical zones with high natural risks (active volcanoes, public health issues (Chikungunya) Rich in biodiversity Incomplete Economic Development Plantation Agriculture in crisis noncompetitive Industrial sector very weak Service Sector overly dominant (80%) Highly dependent on massive importation of goods Result: standard of living much lower than in France (30%) Slide 15 EU aid for economic development 2 statutes: ORs (Outermost Regions) and OSCTs (Overseas Countries and Territories) ORs receive structural funds Belong to Euro zone Receive European Development Funds Finance major infrastructure (roads, airports, ports) Aid received makes ORs areas of isolated wealth in their regional areas Attract poor population from neighboring territories (illegal immigrants) Rarely participate in regional organizations, exchange almost exclusively with their home country Slide 16 Outermost Regions in the Euro Zone The Zoom on this bill makes it possible to identity the outermost regions which use the Euro Slide 17 Unequal Development France only state whose overseas territories benefit from 2 different statutes which qualify them for EU aid ORs Ethnically diverse High demographic growth Economic fragility OSCTs More autonomy New Caledonia rich in nickel Polynesia paradise for tourists Canary Islands - Spanish OR Demographic growth fed by illegal immigration (entry to Schengen Zone) Major destination for international tourism Slide 18 Statute of Overseas Countries and Territories (OSCT) Integral part of territory of member States of EU but not considered part of the EU territory EU law does not directly apply to these areas Do not benefit from structural funds whereas the OR do Belong to an associative regime by which they benefit from advantageous commercial ties (imported products not subject to import tax or restrictive quantities) OSCT benefit from EU financing through EDF (European Development Funds ) 2008-2013 OSCT received 286 million euros OR received 78 billion euros Slide 19 Illegal Immigrants arriving in the Canary Islands Illegal immigration in the Canary Islands increases in a regular basis. 2 modes of action: through harbors and airports (Latin Americans); small boats (Africans) Slide 20 Promoting Sustainable Bananas in the French West Indies What organization have financed this promotional campaign? Is this poster an indicator of regional integration? Slide 21 III. Case Study - Martinique Slide 22 A. Double Handicap: insularity and remoteness DescriptionFigureFrench/EU comparison Surface Area1128 km0.18% of national territory Population 2012390,000 inhabitants0.6% of the French population Density346 inhabitants/kmFrench average: 113 inhab/km Birth Rate 201111.4%France: 12.6% Population under 2031.5%French average: 30.8% Unemployment Rate 201221%French average: 10% GDP/inhabitant16,924 eurosEU average: 23,600 euros A Distant French Territory: Martinique Key Facts Slide 23 Flight Connections: the umbilical cord with France 2011, the French government asked Air France to open direct flights between Paris CDG and Martinique Aim: to facilitate the transfer of European tourists to Martinique # passengers in Caribbean area (excl. Guadeloupe and Guyana) represents less than 8% of total air traffic of Aim Csaire airport in Fort de France Slide 24 Mount Pelle and Saint Pierre High Risk Zones: Volcanic Activity Mount Pelle in 2007 Major eruptions in 1902 and 1929 Slide 25 Risk of Seismic Activity Slide 26 Environment and Territory Slide 27 Activities and Development Slide 28 Total Agricultural Production in Martinique = 188 million euros Source: Agreste Martinique, Memento 2010 Slide 29 B. What factors hinder or help development? Slide 30 Demonstrations and Protests in 2009 Social Malaise linked to high unemployment and high cost of living especially for consumer products imported from France. Chlordecone is a pesticide used in banana plantations with serious health and environmental consequences Slide 31 2012 Budget of the region of Martinique Source: Rgion Martinique Slide 32 2012 Budget of the region of Martinique Total = 387 million euros Source: Rgion Martinique Slide 33 Tourism Slide 34 C. Martinique in the Caribbean Regional Area Key Questions: In what ways is Martinique an example of isolated wealth in the Caribbean? What elements can contribute to a common Caribbean identity? What actions can reinforce Martiniques integration in the region? Slide 35 Martinique in the Caribbean Region What can you say about Martinique compared to her neighbors? How can you explain the migratory flows? Slide 36 Common Identity based on historical past Festival to commemorate the abolition of slavery in Martinique (1998) Slide 37 Reinforcing Regional Integration In 2011, the Region made the decision to propose Martiniques membership in various regional Caribbean organizations. The application process was therefore begun for the OECO (Organization of Eastern Caribbean states) Consultative, Cooperative and Concerted Action Organization for several countries and dependences in the Eastern West Indies. CARICOM (Caribbean Community including 14 member states and 6 associated members) CEPALC (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean) regional commission of the UN Slide 38 2 Pilot Programs 2011 Regional collectivity decided to begin cooperative actions with the region of Para, Brazil Themes broached: Energy development Biomass importation 2011 Cooperative Project with Antigua Tourism sector Slide 39 Regional Cooperation for Seismic Activity Slide 40 Case Study Questions: What are the specific characteristics of Martinique in terms of: Environment Population Territorial organization What hinders or contributes to its development? Demonstrate the assets and limits of development in Martinique What effects does its OR status have on the island? What policies or actions are taken to improve Martiniques regional attachment to the Caribbean area?