Welcome to the European Small Islands Network

"The small islands need to be recognised as specific regions with particular needs that need to be acknowledged and addressed"

Brussels Briefing Day-Maximising Quality of Life on the Small Islands

The message that was strongly put at the Briefing Day held by ESIN in the Committee of Regions Offices in Brussels on the 13th June '07 was that the small islands of Europe urgently need recognition as being in a separate class of regions deserving particular consideration.   Islands suffer from an accumulation of disadvantages, therefore specific designation is what is required to assist them to reduce regional disparities.   The conference was an opportunity for ESIN's Inter-Island Exchange Project to inform the EU institutions about these disparities and how EU and related policies are impacting on the small offshore islands.   While the conference had a strong maritime theme, which included access, transport and tendering processes, the conference also presented papers on Energy, Waste Management, Agriculture, Housing and Information Technology.  Islands also have innovative solutions to their own challenges, which were also highlighted but much more can be achieved with the help of external development bodies and statutory agencies. The conference was opened by Irish MEP Brian Crowley who stated that it was very relevant for the meeting to be held in the Committee of Regions Offices as the Small Islands should be recognised as specific regions of their own.   The meeting was also attended by many other MEP's and officials and ESIN would like to thank all who participated and the COR for the generous use of their conference centre. 

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