Press Release: A new stage in the European strategy for the outermost regions

Danuta Hübner, Commissioner for regional policy, presented the communication 'The outermost regions: an asset for Europe', which proposed a renewed strategy for the seven regions: the four French overseas departments, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Réunion and Martinique, the Portuguese autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira and the Spanish Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands. The Commissioner called for the outermost regions (OR) to be considered as 'regions of opportunity', rich in potential for the development of the Union as a whole. This change in approach could come about through the optimal use of all of the existing Community instruments, greater knowledge about the OR and strengthened partnership.