30th Conference of Presidents of the Outermost Regions: Europe stands by its overseas territories
On 5 and 6 November, Guadeloupe will host the 30th Conference of Presidents of the Outermost Regions (RUP). This is a strategic event for the nine European territories concerned, including Saint Martin, at a time when the European Union is redefining its policy towards its overseas territories.
This meeting brings together delegations from the nine outermost regions, MEPs, representatives of the French, Spanish and Portuguese governments, as well as Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for cohesion and reforms.
The discussions are taking place against a particular backdrop, following the presentation on 10 September of a new European strategy designed to take better account of the specific characteristics of these territories. Geographical remoteness, additional costs, dependence on imports, climate vulnerability and difficulties in accessing essential services are among the challenges shared by the six French outermost regions, the two Portuguese outermost regions and the Spanish Canary Islands.
Financial and strategic challenges
At the heart of the discussions: adapting European policies to local realities, but also the role of the outermost regions in the European Union’s next budget for the period 2028–2034. The new strategy provides, in particular, for regulatory adjustments in several sectors, including agriculture, fisheries and taxation, as well as a strengthening of regional cooperation and resilience to climate-related risks.
The Minister for Overseas Territories, Naïma Moutchou, who was visiting Guadeloupe from 4 to 6 November, was due to meet the presidents of the French outermost regions at a working meeting on Thursday 5 November. Benjamin Haddad, Minister of State for European Affairs, is also taking part in this meeting.
The conference also marks the handover of the presidency: Ary Chalus, President of the Guadeloupe Region and President of the Conference since April 2025, will hand over to Miguel Albuquerque, President of the Regional Government of Madeira.
Raffaele Fitto expected in Saint Martin
Following the conference, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission will continue his visit to Saint Martin late on Friday afternoon. He will visit Collège 900 in La Savane, built with €7.2 million in funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). On Saturday morning, Raffaele Fitto will visit the Concordia media library site, where the conversion into a hurricane shelter received €1 million in European funding.
These two visits will highlight the role of European funding in the reconstruction and development of Saint Martin, as well as the territory’s ongoing needs in terms of infrastructure and resilience to natural hazards.
