CPMR Intergroup:

"Mountains, Islands and Sparsely Populated Regions"

Headed by: CPMR Director Jean-Didier Hache

BSC is represented through: Executive Secretary Anne Ståhl Mousa, BSC Executive Secretary, Den här e-postadressen är skyddad från spamrobotar, du måste ha Javascript aktiverat för att visa den .

The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union states at Article 2 that “the Union shall promote economic, social and territorial cohesion, and solidarity among Member States”, and makes specific provisions to that effect in its Chapter XVIII, and most notably in Article 158. In that framework, Article 158 stresses that certain categories of regions will require “particular attention”; among which those which “suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps”. The northernmost regions with very low population density, the islands, and mountain regions are explicitly mentioned.

To that effect an umbrella alliance named “Group 158” is set up which will: jointly articulate the compelling rationale for the addition of ‘territorial cohesion’ to the Treaty and the insertion in Article 158 of the references to handicaps referred to above. Monitor whether the provisions of Article 158 regarding territories with permanent natural or demographic handicaps are being satisfactorily implemented by the European Union.

Make representations to the EU Institutions and to the Member States to ensure that they are implemented accordingly.

The BSC has been active in this group preparing a critical working paper on Territories with Specific Geographical Features sent to the Commissions.

The group also sent in questions to the hearing of new commissioners regarding "Mountains, Islands and Sparsely Populated Regions”.

The group has also urged the CPMR member regions to alert their MPs to support the critical note on Territories with Specific Geographical Features sent to the Commissions.