A vote of trust on European islands, a vote of trust in the work of MEP Josianne Cutajar

The European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development (REGI) approved a report on islands and cohesion policy with 39 votes in favour out of 40, a report which MEP Josianne Cutajar worked directly upon.

Dr Cutajar also remarked that while the European Parliament is in the process of negotiating the Digital

Decade programme, through which several targets have to be met by the end of 2030, islands should take the opportunity to increase their digital intensity. “Given that digitalisation can help address the insularity islands suffer from, I believe that further work in this context can be beneficial both in terms of the citizens, but also for the industry and small and medium-sized businesses,” said MEP Cutajar.

She continued to say that the green transition is another important aspect for our islands – a transition presenting not only challenges but also opportunities in the context of the circular economy, the blue economy and sustainable tourism – if there is the necessary assistance.

This report was voted in the context of inflation and rising prices due to the effects of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine; a reality which has a greater impact on islands facing permanent geographical limitations.

MEP Cutajar, who negotiated this report on behalf of the Socialists and Democrats, stressed that the declaration that the European Union reach a pact with its islands is an important one in the times we live in. Islands need more flexibility especially on support systems such as state aid schemes and de minimis rules.

“The everlasting challenges faced by our islands require effective solutions that go beyond the pandemic,” concludes MEP Cutajar.