BRUSSELS - By a large majority of 603 votes in favor to 27 against, the European Parliament has approved a new partnership agreement of the European Union with the Overseas Territories, which include Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Territories ( TAAF), Greenland, New Caledonia, Saba, Saint Barthelemy, Saint-Pierre-en-Miquelon, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Walles and Futuna.
The partnership between the EU and the OCTs is based on three pillars: strengthening competitiveness, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability and promoting cooperation and integration between the OCTs and other partners and neighboring regions. The objective of the Overseas Association is to promote the economic and social development of the islands and to establish close economic relations between them and the European Union.
The new decision replaces that of November 25, 2013, and runs until 2027. MEP Samira Rafaela speaks of great newness: "This means, among other things, that the overseas regions will have access to European funds for, for example, climate policy or education."