Strategy to support the outermost regions post-COVID-19

Subject: Strategy to support the outermost regions post-COVID-19

Since the end of 2019, a growing number of people worldwide have been affected by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. To date there are confirmed cases in all EU Member States. The European Union is facing an unprecedented pandemic,

which will cause a global economic crisis.

All parts of the EU are facing difficulties, and the outermost regions are no exception. We know, however, that their economic and structural weaknesses are intrinsically greater as are result of their particular circumstances, and the risks of unemployment are thus higher.


What positive discrimination measures are planned for the EU's outermost regions?

What economic stimulus mechanisms does the Commission plan to put in place in the EU's outermost regions?

How does the EU intend to foster economic recovery in the outermost regions?

Answer given by Ms Ferreira on behalf of the European Commission

(26 August 2020)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member’s concern about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the EU outermost regions.

Since March 2020, the Commission has introduced a series of exceptional measures to support the immediate response to the crisis, regarding cohesion policy and state aid rules (1), together with additional various measures under maritime affairs and fisheries, agriculture and transport policies (2). The Commission also adopted a communication (3) to help the tourism and transport sectors, which highlights the outermost regions’ specificities.

On 27 May 2020, the Commission proposed an ambitious Recovery Plan to support Member States and regions, which includes the Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe (REACT-EU (4)).

The proposal envisages new additional resources of EUR 55 billion to be channelled in 2020-2022 via the existing programmes for the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund, as well as the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived, with the possibility of 100% co-financing by the Union.

The REACT-EU proposal also envisages a specific earmarked allocation for the outermost regions. It will be important for the outermost regions to make the most of the new measures and budgets thus provided under various EU programmes.

However, the Commission reminds the Honourable Member of the conclusions of the meeting of the European Council meeting of July 2020 (5), including the position on the abovementioned aspects of the proposal, including the REACT-EU allocation.

⋅1∙ Regulation (EU) 2020/460 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 March 2020 amending Regulations (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013 and

(EU) No 508/2014 as regards specific measures to mobilise investments in the healthcare systems of Member States and in other sectors of their economies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak (Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative). ⋅2∙ Regulation (EU) 2020/558 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2020 amending Regulations (EU) No 1301/2013 and (EU) No 1303/2013 as

regards specific measures to provide exceptional flexibility for the use of the European Structural and Investments Funds in response to the COVID-19 outbreak (Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative plus).

⋅3∙ Communication COM(2020) 550 final of 13 May 2020 on Tourism and transport in 2020 and beyond.

⋅4∙ Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council COM(2020) 451 final amending Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 as regards exceptional

additional resources and implementing arrangements under the Investment for growth and jobs goal to provide assistance for fostering crisis repair in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing a green, digital and resilient recovery of the economy (REACT-EU) ⋅5∙ European Council Conclusions EUCO 10/20 — 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 July 2020.