Vice President of the EP Intergroup in charge of the islands, Croatian MEP Tonino Picula emphasized in the debate on the proposal of the European Parliament and the Council amending the Regulation concerning spatial typologies, at the plenary session in Strasbourg, that the specificity of islands, the term "insularity" - must enter European statistics.
Specifically, Picula pointed out at the plenary session that due to lack of statistical data relating to the islands, which are home for 17 million people, their status is not adequately recognized, which makes the withdrawal from the funds more difficult for the islanders.
"The application of such statistics on the islands would allow a thorough review of the characteristics of these areas, many of which are common, regardless of the geographic position, size or level of development of the island. Such data should be comparable with other typology areas and would greatly facilitate development of targeted EU legislation for islands", said Piculain his speech, stressing that the islanders have the right to ask how can they create adequate policies for the islands if their status is not territorially recognized at all?!
He also stressed that "insularity", as a factor that increases transport costs, reduces security of energy supply, hinders access to education and significantly restricts access to the labor market, is a well-known term to everyone who live on islands and it is time that it is finally, officially and formally recognized also at a European level.
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