The Island Dimension in European Cohesion, Competitiveness and Sustainable Development Policies

Background

The European Union includes several island regions across the Mediterranean, Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic basins, as well as outermost regions in the Caribbean and Indian Ocean. 

These regions are key to the EU’s blue economy, climate resilience and regional cohesion but face persistent structural challenges due to their geographical location and situation. Some examples are isolation, limited connectivity, high transport costs, dependence on external supply chains, limited land surface area, and heightened vulnerability to climate pressures. 

In spite of their strategic importance, current EU policies do not take into enough consideration these characteristics, thereby limiting the effectiveness of regional development and sustainability strategies.

To address these issues, the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU has asked the EESC for an exploratory opinion. The objective is to assess the effects of insularity on society, work, businesses and civil society organisations and put forward proposals for ‘island mainstreaming’ in all EU institutional and financial tools.

Key points

The EESC:

- calls for the establishment of a dedicated Union strategy for islands (Islands Pact);

- asks for a specific legislative framework (Islands Act);

- calls for the effective implementation of an ‘insularity clause’.

Additional information

Section: Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO)

Opinion number: ECO/689

Opinion type: Exploratory opinion Presidency

Rapporteur: Ioannis Vardakastanis (Group III - Greece)

Date of adoption by section: 5 February 2026

Result of the vote: 56 in favour, 0 against, 0 abstentions

Date of adoption in plenary: 18-19 February 2026

Result of the vote: 240 in favour, 1 against, 5 abstentions

Contact

Marco Pezzani

Press Officer

Tel.: +32 2 546 9793 | Mob: +32 470 881 903

E-mail: marco.pezzani@eesc.europa.eu 

Georgios Meleas

Administrator

Tel.: +32 2 546 9795

E-mail: georgios.meleas@eesc.europa.eu