The European Union's outermost regions (ORs) qualify for special treatment owing to structural difficulties – such as remoteness, difficult topography and economic dependence on a few products – that can severely hamper their development. In addition, the coronavirus pandemic has hit their economies particularly hard. While these regions are quite different from one another, they have levels of unemployment and GDP significantly worse than EU and national averages. Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides for specific measures to support the ORs, including the tailored application of EU law and access to EU programmes.

EPRS policy podcast - Outermost regions of the EU

Culture plays a fundamental role in human life. It is also an essential source of identity, at local, regional, national and European levels, while making a significant contribution to the EU economy. EU cultural policy relates to cultural heritage, but also to the cultural and creative sector. The EU supports culture through a variety of initiatives, including the European Capitals of Culture scheme. A number of EU programmes also offer funding for cultural projects, for instance the Creative Europe programme, Horizon Europe and New European Bauhaus. As one of the sectors of the economy worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU included culture in its coronavirus response investment initiatives and the REACT-EU programme aimed at dealing with the consequences of the pandemic. The European Parliament has called for increased support for culture as part of the post-pandemic recovery efforts.

EPRS policy podcast - Culture and regional development

The EU has contributed to creating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established in 2015, as part of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and takes action to implement them through its internal and external policies, as outlined in the 'Towards a Sustainable Europe by 2030' reflection paper, the European Green Deal, the European Commission's political priorities and its work programme. The Sustainable Development Goals also have a regional dimension, sometimes called 'localisation'. Achieving around 65 % of the targets is estimated to require local and regional authority participation. Numerous regions and cities, including in the EU, have expressed support for the SDGs and many have integrated them in their policy frameworks.

EPRS podcast - Policy: Sustainable Development Goals in EU regions

Produceert u voedingsmiddelen die kenmerkend zijn voor uw regio of volgens een bepaalde traditie worden gemaakt? Dan beschermt de Europese Unie uw expertise en wel als volgt.

Dit doet Europa voor producenten van regionale en traditionele producten

Ben jij een fijnproever en houd je van traditionele en regionale specialiteiten? Dan heb je misschien al eens producten met bepaalde logo's gezien zoals "beschermde oorsprongsbenaming". Voorbeelden hiervan zijn Noord-Hollandse Goudse en Edammer kaas. Deze logo's geven aan dat de Unie de namen en unieke kwaliteiten van de producten beschermt.

Dit doet Europa voor mensen die regionale en traditionele producten kopen

Als ambtenaar bij een lokale of regionale overheid speel je een belangrijke rol voor de EU en haar beleid. De EU probeert je op verschillende manieren te helpen.

Dit doet Europa voor ambtenaren bij lokale en regionale overheden

Woont u in een perifere of minder goed bediende regio? Dan wilt u misschien wel weten hoe de EU ervoor zorgt dat regio's zoals de uwe ook per vliegtuig te bereiken zijn.

Dit doet Europa voor luchtreizigers van en naar perifere en minder goed bediende regio's

Woont u dicht bij een binnengrens van de EU? Zo zijn er nog 150 miljoen. De Unie werkt aan maatregelen zodat u probleemloos de grens kunt oversteken. Hierbij drie voorbeelden.

Dit doet Europa voor mensen die in grensgebieden wonen

Het is er prachtig leven, maar in berggebieden is de toegang tot voorzieningen en diensten soms beperkt. Woon jij in zo'n berggebied? Hierbij drie voorbeelden van wat Europa voor jou doet.

Dit doet Europa voor mensen in berggebieden

Flooding, heatwaves and droughts are the most common natural disasters in the EU, but millions of people also live in areas at risk of earthquakes or near active volcanos. So it’s good to know that when disaster strikes, the EU is there to help.

This is what Europe does for residents in disaster stricken regions

Niet alle Europeanen wonen op het vasteland of zelfs maar in de buurt. Misschien ben jij wel een van de geluksvogels die in de Franse overzeese gebieden, op Madeira, de Azoren of de Canarische Eilanden woont? Hoe mooi het leven op deze plekken ook mag lijken, toch valt niet te onderschatten hoe moeilijk het er soms kan zijn. De EU biedt een helpende hand bij een aantal specifieke problemen.

Dit doet Europa voor EU-burgers in ultraperifere gebieden

V EU so najpogostejše poplave, vročinski vali in suše, več milijonov ljudi pa živi na potresnih območjih ali blizu aktivnih vulkanov. Dobro je vedeti, da vam bo Unija v primeru naravne nesreče priskočila na pomoč.

Kako Evropa pomaga prebivalcem regij, ki so jih prizadele naravne nesreče?

Dabas katastrofas, kuras Eiropu skar visbiežāk, ir plūdi, karstuma viļņi un ilgstošs sausums, bet miljoniem cilvēku dzīvo arī zemestrīču apdraudētās teritorijās vai aktīvu vulkānu tuvumā. Tāpēc ir labi apzināties, ka Eiropas Savienība ir gatava palīdzēt katastrofas gadījumā.

Šoreiz pastāstīsim, ko Eiropa dara dabas katastrofu skarto reģionu iedzīvotāju labā

Le inondazioni, le ondate di calore e la siccità sono le calamità più frequenti, ma altri milioni di persone vivono in zone a rischio sismico o vicino a un vulcano attivo. Quindi è bene sapere che in caso di catastrofe, l'UE è pronta a prestare aiuto.

Cosa fa l'Europa per i residenti di regioni colpite da calamità

Poplave, toplinski valovi i suše najčešće su prirodne katastrofe u Uniji, no ne treba zaboraviti ni milijune ljudi koji žive u trusnim područjima ili blizu aktivnih vulkana. Dobro je stoga znati da Unija pomaže kada do takvih katastrofa dođe.

Evo što Europa čini za stanovnike regija pogođenih elementarnim nepogodama

Inundaciones, olas de calor y sequías son las catástrofes naturales más comunes en la UE, pero millones de personas viven además en zonas con riesgo de terremotos o cerca de un volcán activo. En estas circunstancias, está bien saber que cuando la catástrofe estalla, la UE prestará ayuda.

Esto es lo que Europa hace por los habitantes de las regiones golpeadas por catástrofes

<p>The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on 10 July 2019, following the appointment of their members in the plenary sitting of 3-4 July. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate. The newly set up committees will then start holding their regular meetings during the week of 22 July.</p>

REGI - Committee on Regional Development

MEPs and the Commission discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, the role of UNRWA, and the need to release all hostages.

With violence in the Middle East intensifying with Israel’s attacks on Hamas and Hezbollah targets in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, humanitarian organizations are warning of the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. According to UN sources, the number of aid shipments into the Gaza Strip is now lower than at any time over the past year and there is “a strong likelihood that famine is imminent in areas within the northern Gaza Strip.” MEPs will also discuss the essential role of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA in the region. In his statement of 1 November 2024, EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell emphasised UNRWA's life-saving work in Gaza.

MEPs adopted a number of resolutions in the last 12 months, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.

Continued escalation in the Middle East: the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages

Raffaele Fitto was a Member of the European Parliament (1999-2000, 2014-2022) and became Co-Chair of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) of the European Parliament in 2019. He was the Italian Minister for European Affairs, Southern Italy, Cohesion Policy and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) from 2022 to present, and he is now Executive Vice-President-designate of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President-designate, Cohesion and Reforms

REGI - Consideration of draft report: The role of cohesion policy investment in resolving the current housing crisis

REGI - Public hearing: Towards a European Plan for Housing: Perspectives on urban and rural areas

REGI - Voting session : A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world

TRAN - Presentation of a study on Transport and tourism in outermost regions: assessing mobility poverty and the effects of new climate policies

EP Plenary session - Supporting the EU’s most vulnerable regions against devastating effects of climate change, such as the recent cyclone hitting La Reunion

REGI - Presentation of the Priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council

REGI - Exchange of views with Kyriacos Kakouris, Vice-President of EIB

EP Plenary session - Need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine

REGI - Ninth report on economic and social cohesion

ECON LIBE - Exchange of views with Maria Luís Albuquerque, Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union, on the amendment to the delegated regulation in relation to third countries which have strategic deficiencies in their AML/CTF regimes (High-Risk Third Countries)

REGI - Exchange of views with Sharon Dijksma, Mayor of Utrecht, on the Eurocities policy statement – A Strong Cohesion Policy Promoting Urban Transformation

REGI - Exchange of views with Nadim Ahmad, OECD, on the main territorial impacts of the global challenges and available instruments for national authorities and regions to address them

REGI - Exchange of views with Executive Vice-President Raffaelle Fitto on the future of cohesion policy

REGI - A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world

Conference of  Presidents of Outermost regions

EP Plenary session - Ousting of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region

REGI - Second Trilogue on Regulation on Facilitating Cross-Border Solutions

EP Plenary session - Regional Emergency Support

Committee on Regional Development Ordinary meeting

REGI

Committee on Regional Development HEARING REGI -EMPL

EMPL

Delegation for Relations with Iran Ordinary Meeting Exchange of views on destructive activities of the Iranian Islamic Regime in Europe

Committee on Regional Development

Meeting between the Presidents of the Outermost Regions and Members of the European Parliament

Committee meeting on Regional Development

Joint committee on Employment and Social Affairs and committee meeting on Regional Development

Press point by Adrian-Dragoş BENEA (S&D, Romania), Chair of REGI, following the confirmation hearing of Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms

Joint Committee on Budgetary Control and Committee on Employment and Social Affairs - Meeting with DG REGIO on Control and Assurance in Cohesion policy with the Joint Audit Directorate of DG REGIO and DG EMPL

CONT

Committee Constitutive meeting on Regional Development

The European Parliament debates the need for targeted support for EU regions bordering Russia with representatives of the Polish Council Presidency and the European Commission. MEPs bring up Russian efforts to damage infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, and the need to detect and counter these acts of sabotage.

Need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine: MEPs debate

The European Parliament debates the need for targeted support for EU regions bordering Russia with representatives of the Polish Council Presidency and the European Commission. MEPs bring up Russian efforts to damage infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, and the need to detect and counter these acts of sabotage. Closing statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs and by Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine: Closing statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reform

The European Parliament debates the need for targeted support for EU regions bordering Russia with representatives of the Polish Council Presidency and the European Commission. MEPs bring up Russian efforts to damage infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, and the need to detect and counter these acts of sabotage. Opening statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs and by Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine: Opening statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reform

Exchange of views on Polish priorities in the area of the EU security and defence (SEDE) with Paweł Zalewski, Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence. Presentation of the Council Presidency’s programme (FEMM) with Katarzyna Kotula, Minister for Equality. Presentation of the Council Presidency’s programme (IMCO) with Mr Krzysztof Paszyk, Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Mr Dariusz Standerski, Secretary of State (Ministry of Digitalisation) and Ms Małgorzata Krok, Undersecretary of State (Ministry of Finance). Presentation of the Council Presidency’s programme by Mr Adam Szłapka, Minister for European Affairs. Poland's 2025 EU Presidency prioritizes security, Ukraine support, EU enlargement, and economic resilience.

Presentation of the EU Council's priorities by Polish Ministers: extracts from the EP Committee meetings (SEDE, FEMM, IMCO, AFCO)

This news item shows the extracts from the Conference of the Presidents of the Outermost Regions in the EU with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Antonio COSTA, European Council President and Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice President of the European Commission. The event, which has gathered all nine outermost regions, has focused on the importance of the reconstruction of Mayotte, after the devastation of the Cyclone Chido, in December 2024. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Conference of the Presidents of the Outermost Regions in the EU with Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Antonio COSTA, European Council President: extracts

On 13 and 14 June 2025, thousands of young people will take over the European Parliament in Strasbourg for EYE2025 (European Youth Event), to engage, get empowered and connect with thousands of young people, experts, activists, content creators and decision-makers. The EYE is a unique opportunity for 16- to 30-year-olds to inspire and get inspired, to debate directly with Members of the European Parliament and other European decision-makers, and to exchange views on Europe.

EYE2025 – Registration process for groups sponsored by the European Parliament

EYE2025 – Registration process for individual participants

MEPs assess the latest developments in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the humanitarian situation in the region in debate with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Closing statement by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region: Closing statement by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and VP of the European Commission

MEPs assess the latest developments in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the humanitarian situation in the region in debate with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Third part of MEPs debate.

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region: MEPs Debate (part 3)

MEPs assess the latest developments in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the humanitarian situation in the region in debate with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Second part of MEPs debate.

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region: MEPs Debate (part 2)

MEPs assess the latest developments in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the humanitarian situation in the region in debate with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. First part of MEPs debate.

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region: MEPs Debate (part 1)

MEPs assess the latest developments in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the humanitarian situation in the region in debate with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Opening statement by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region: Opening statement by Kaja KALLAS, HR of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and VP of the European Commission

MEPs assess the latest developments in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the humanitarian situation in the region in debate with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region: extracts from the debate

MEPs and the the Commission will discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, the role of UNRWA, and the need to release all hostages. With violence in the Middle East intensifying with Israel’s attacks on Hamas and Hezbollah targets in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, humanitarian organizations are warning of the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. According to UN sources, the number of aid shipments into the Gaza Strip is now lower than at any time over the past year and there is “a strong likelihood that famine is imminent in areas within the northern Gaza Strip”. Closing statements by Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages: Closing statements by Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms

MEPs and the the Commission will discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, the role of UNRWA, and the need to release all hostages. With violence in the Middle East intensifying with Israel’s attacks on Hamas and Hezbollah targets in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, humanitarian organizations are warning of the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. According to UN sources, the number of aid shipments into the Gaza Strip is now lower than at any time over the past year and there is “a strong likelihood that famine is imminent in areas within the northern Gaza Strip.”

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages: MEPs debate (part 2)

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages: MEPs debate (part 1)

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages: Opening statements

MEPs and the the Commission discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, the role of UNRWA, and the need to release all hostages. With violence in the Middle East intensifying with Israel’s attacks on Hamas and Hezbollah targets in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, humanitarian organizations are warning of the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. MEPs also discuss the essential role of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA in the region.

Continued escalation in the Middle East, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages: extracts from the debate

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