Text tabled : A7-0084/2012

  Sophie Auconie (PPE), in writing. – (FR) The outermost regions of the European Union (the Canary Islands, the Azores, Madeira, Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Réunion and Saint Martin) benefit from a special allocation under cohesion policy because of their specific situation. Yet, the European Commission is currently establishing a new plan for these regions and plans to cut the funds allocated to them. We have therefore pointed out that it is essential to compensate for the structural handicaps of the outermost regions as we do for those of other regions in Europe. Thanks to my experience with cohesion policy funds, I can confirm that the subsidies in favour of the economic diversification of these regions are necessary and that it is just as important to support the European citizens living in these regions.