Alícia Homs demands an insularity clause for the Balearic Islands in the European Parliament

PalmaThe Balearic MEP Alícia Homs (PSOE) has demanded in the European Parliament that the European Union incorporate an insularity clause and systematically review its policies to take into account the needs of island territories. Homs has warned that the European strategy for islands runs the risk of remaining a simple diagnosis if it is not translated into concrete measures.

"The 17 million Europeans who live on the islands are still waiting for an insularity clause," she pointed out. In this regard, she argued that European policies must be adapted to the specific characteristics of these territories, as established by Article 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which provides for taking into account regions that suffer from permanent natural or demographic handicaps, among which are the islands.

The MEP has used the Balearic Islands as an example of the difficulties that insularity entails, which in the case of the Archipelago is aggravated by double and triple insularity. As she explained, living on the islands implies facing higher costs, more limited resources and services, and greater difficulties in accessing housing.

To these barriers is added the dependence on maritime and air transport for daily matters such as studying, working, going to the doctor, or maintaining contact with family and friends.

For this reason, Homs has argued that the European cohesion policy after 2027 should include specific guarantees for island territories, with territorial chapters and secured participation of regional and island governments in the design and execution of state and regional plans.

"For many of you, the Islands are your vacation spot, for us it is our home and we want to be able to live there with opportunities," she concluded.